Mid winter.

'treat myself' to two weeks in cottage in middle of nowhere, just before christmas, there to read many books, take long walks, listen to radio, generally relax.
 
Weather turns freakishly cold. 

Weather in Countryside so cold that all pipes freeze, and thus no water- 15 min round trip down (or up) steep hill, unlit at night, to get water, bathe, use loo.
 
Man tells me with relish It Has Not Been This Cold In A Long Time. Smile politely, avoid all further conversation, as we are clearly headed for We're All In It Together, Wartime Spirit type chat, which may make me scream. 

Cottage therefore unpleasantly cold- ice inside windows at night etc, so spend week sulking beside inadequate and sulky gas fire, NOT reading, listening to radio or relaxing, but watching e4 a LOT, which i do not have at home, as tv is interestingly unable to recieve chanel 4 or bbc2, which i do watch, despite having over 500 chanels.  I have newsnight withdrawl. 

DID manage numerous long walks on most days, as weather, despite being sub zero, was startlingly sunny, abnormal blue skies etc. 
Elation increases with each ringing step on frosted lanes, crossing rimey fields etc- Can This Be England?
 Feel momentary exhilaration atop hill.
News- Entire Country Ground To Halt In Snow- confirms it is indeed.  

Eventually cross and frozen beyond tolerance ( man said Obviously Not Gas Fire On Over Night. Weakly agree, though unsure why not-if safe in day- why night danger??? Vampire Gas Fire?) returned early to london, and warmth, just avoiding countrywide gridlock occasioned by 1" snowfall.  
Though no e4.
Made mincepies, turned heating up, read books.