Snow is forecast, all around us, little children having fun..... yes, go on, hum along to Shakey...

Tomorrow we coastal softies are due for around 5cm while the hardy souls of the valleys and mountains will be getting between 10-15 cm. Phwoar, missus... I wonder what it will be like. Although I love playing in snow, it's an absolute nightmare at work, as schools seem to close at the first sign of a flake so half the workforce is on emergency childcare, even if the roads are perfectly clear. Also I am a big girl's blouse and hate driving in it. So we wait and see. The pond is frozen at the moment though of course we have the little plastic ducks maintaining an oxygen passageway for the fish, who I devoutly hope are tucked up nice and warm in their duvets having a snuggly winter snooze.

Eventful times at work. Went to Scrutiny Committee last night - talked about street cleansing, it was an interesting session. After the meeting, came back towards the depot with our Enforcement Manager, and checked out an industrial site that was the subject of a meeting today. Found the site we were interested in was nicely closed up with no trouble but a neighbouring dodgy skip hire firm was ablaze. Immediately called up the fire brigade, the Environment Agency and shortly after two fire engines arrived along with the police. our concern was that there were gas bottles on site. Slowly developed hypothermia watching the fire be extinguished then returned to base, collected car and retraced my steps to the station to collect the young master, returning from Brum where he'd been at a meeting. When we finally got home, both very tired, cold and hungry. Munched some grub and almost immediately collapsed into bed.

This morning, had a call to deal with an abandoned pig's head (where was the rest of it?). Needed to move swiftly on that as it is possible it may have been intended as part of a racist attack. Also dealt with one of our Councillors who was upset about what he described as some fly-tipping but was in fact waste stored securely under some scaffolding behind high fences- hmm. Must be election season.

A member of staff wants to return to driving duties after being off them for a number of years - he withdrew when going through some personal difficulties. I respect this position and we will do our best to support this. Alas, another driver yesterday was not so careful, driving a small mechanical brush over some temp traffic light cables with his brushes down, thus ripping them from the carriageway and causing traffic lights to collapse. It would be funny if it wasn't so stupid.

The letter bombs in the news are causing us some concern. Received emergency guidance (common sense rules) as of course our dept includes transport and traffic related issues. Spent some time with our senior admin team going over mail procedures.

Also now continuing to refine our bird flu procedures. We are currently involved in a long series of meetings anyway with our colleagues in Emergency Planning, refining a number of our pandemic issues and procedures, but the current situation has hightened people's awareness.

Had a meeting with our Portfolio holder this afternoon about the industrial site mentioned above and in previous posts. Have suggested using some of our recent grant money to alleygate it, or doing a joint surveillance operation with the EA. Highways are now considering some of the practical issues related to gating - this would be the best long term solution.

Finished early as last visit this afternoon by plumber's mate to do the grouting on the last section of tiling. Now all complete and looking like a rhapsody in blue......