Nice

There has to be a sense of gloating self-satisfaction in escaping the UK in January, even more so if your journey out and back is not disrupted by weather, industrial action or mechanical failure.

I have never thought that I suffered from Seasonal Affective Disorder, but I have come to dread this month, and in 2026 the Gods have served up the UK with a delicious and unremitting cocktail of snow, rain and freezing temperatures, like an interrogator waiting for a suspect to break.

It is fun watching right of centre political commentators settling into five years of bitching against the Labour government's policies. Charles Moore had spotted the 'leather-lined wellington boots' worn by Steve Reed, the new Defra Secretary, who is piloting legislation to ban trail hunting. 

Lord Moore is not amused at the Government's decision, but takes comfort from noting that the boot brand is 'Chasseur'. Moore interprets this in terms of the hunting lobby doing the chase; I fear that in truth it is Moore's clan that is being pursued. Tally Ho...