The Big Chill..

Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!! I’m huddled over my computer, exhaling, and I think I can see my breath.
I’m on my squillionth hot beverage, I’m wearing five layers including two fleeces and they’re talking ridiculous temperatures of - 22 degrees on the radio. What on earth’s going on with our weather?!

The snow in Scotland over New Year’s Eve was beautiful to look at and great fun to play in. But, now, back in London, I’m totally over it. Give me back bland British drizzle. Boo and hiss to this treacherous icy road and pavement situation.

For many, snow means a glorious day off work and a chance to frolic outdoors. But for me, it means late deliveries, irate customers and complete chaos.

I’ve been doing battle since well before Christmas:
First we had the postal strike. Then (as soon as they’d eventually cleared the backlog) the bad weather hit. The snow reprieve over New Year’s was clearly only the eye of the storm, because here we are, back at panic stations again…

Whenever there is delivery disruption I work hard to contact customers and apologise personally. It’s important to be courteous and let them know that I’ve been tracking their order. Most clients - but not all - are sympathetic.

It’s hard to know how to placate someone who makes no concessions whatsoever for events that are out of my control. So I end up being incredibly polite…and then having a little scream in the office bathroom on my own (my cherubic assistant turns a deaf ear…)

To add injury to insult, I slipped on the ice outside my office this week. (Grit! Grit! Our kingdom for some Grit!) It was a cartoon-style fall that swept my feet right up into the air, and landed my bottom on the ground (…at least it’s adequately padded since Christmas.)

I scraped myself up off the floor and cursed my zero traction Uggs. Yes, they are Ugg-ly. But boy, are they warm. So now I’m scouring the internet for the ultimate boot to combat this Big Freeze: snug, stylish and safe. Can such a thing exist?

My super-chic friend C swears by her Mukluks (www.muklukstore.com) They’re beautiful beaded suede booties surrounded by fur, that look ineffectual but are in fact traditionally worn by Canadian aboriginals for hunting in the snow. I was with her in Scotland. She wore them in the snow. They survived.

Given that Canadians consider our current conditions somewhat tropical for winter, their country is a good place to look online for boots. J got a pair of Sorels for a ski trip (www.sorel.com) and they look indestructible and impenetrable.  Their women’s selection looks seriously heavy duty: you can sort by size, price…and temperature. 

Closer to home, the Celtic Sheepskin Company (www.celtic-sheepskin.co.uk) make their boots in Cornwall. Their Aqualamb boot looks snug like an Ugg, but has deeper treads and is waterproof.

Hmmmm. Decisions, decisions….

Whatever I order though, I’ll be especially patient for their arrival.

Until then, I’ll be sellotaping some tennis rackets to my feet.

Scarlett Willow