Why does the whole country grind to a halt every year as soon as it snows?

We live at the bottom of a hill and it has been very entertaining watching the cars trying (and usually failing) to drive up the hill. Once you get to the top of the hill and onto a sort of main road then things begin to improve but getting up the hill is a nightmare! This morning there was a BMW stuck at the bottom for over 30 minutes before he decided to give up. I managed to get up in my Mini - the other half said it is something to do with front or rear wheel drive. He explained it in detail to me but wheels are wheels to me so it doesn't make any sense. What difference can it possibly make whether you have front or rear wheel drive on a car? Surely all wheels are involved - otherwise what is the point of having them?

I love my Mini, it has great character and I have become a Mini collector - all things Mini. On our website we sell a remote control desk USB Mini and I just had to have one for myself. It is great fun, small and compact but full of character - just like the real thing.

I also have a Union Jack Mini Car Clock sat next to my computer - keeps the time perfectly and makes me smile every time that I look at it. Keeping my eyes open for other things to add to my small but growing collection. It is like being part of a family - quite a lot of Mini drivers acknowledge each other (I think a bit like years ago AA members did).

When I was getting petrol last week there was an original Mini next to mine at the garage and I was stunned to see the difference in size, I am not sure how they managed to get in the original they are so small but still a great car.

SWINE FLU!!!!!

How do you know if you have had Swine Flu?

Everyone keeps saying that "there is a lot of it about". Fine, but how do you know when a virus or a cold is not just a virus or a cold BUT the famous (or infamous) Swine Flu. I just do not know. I have been ill for a few days, temperature, headache, aches, pains, coughing, sneezing and generally feeling weak. I said that I am just not well but no - others with similar symptoms inform me that they have had Swine Flu. OK, I can understand if you were given loads of money for having this thing but you get nothing, so why claim it and feel proud to have it? Seems to have caught the imagination of the media and it is like a badge of honour - a bit like some people treat an ASBO!

Anyway I have been under the weather for the last few days - that's a funny saying UNDER THE WEATHER - wonder where it originates from? Just when I need loads of energy I seem to have run out - things are going really on the website and we are being kept busy. Sold 3 Techno Balls this week already so some people are going to be having fun this Christmas building them.

Anyway, feeling a bit better so back to work.