Sunday 19th December

We get up early and prepare to jump in Mum's car. They need to try and drive up to Scotland today (where even more snow is forecast) so every minute counts. We are informed by Network Rail that the high-speed line is back up and running, with a train departing at 9.25. After Alistair has dug the car out (which is, fortunately, four-wheel drive) we drive as quickly and safely as possible to Canterbury West station, where we see a train pull in as we arrive. Concerned that we might miss it, K and I leap out of the car and run through the small station to squeeze on. It's not too busy and we manage to find a seat - but mostly I'm just relieved to be on our way back. While the weekend has been far from a disaster, it's nice to be heading back for a shower and a change of clothes at least.

The train is incredibly quick and in less than an hour we're back in St. Pancras - with North London virtually unrecognisable compared to when we left less than 24 hours before. The thick blanket of snow has been obliterated into slush in true London style, at least on the roads, but it's pretty amazing to see what fell in just a couple of Saturday afternoon hours. The remainder of our journey isn't too difficult - though the Piccadilly line is severely delayed thanks to staff being unable to get into work. Though this means us running for the 29 through Finsbury Park, we're stunned to find ourselves safely home less than two hours after we left Aylesham - and all before midday.

The weather makes me want to stay in for the rest of the day, but we need to do food shopping at least so we head up to Sainsbury's in Wood Green and do a little circuit of Shopping City. After finally getting a shower and lolling around for the rest of the afternoon, we decide to brave the elements and wander up to Crouch End for a drink before dinner. Mike joins us after a while, and predictably one drink turns into several. Our delicious curry we had planned gets postponed to tomorrow - and we stoop to a greasy takeaway on the way home. Well, we reason, it has been something of a traumatic weekend.