Not a good start.
Blowing a hoolie (whatever one of them is) and damping like it's going out of fashion.
Donned my waterproof trousers and jacket for walking the beardie, who was given a rare outing with his waterproof dog coat as well.
We got most of the way round our 'usual' walk but I gave the last 50 yds a miss and turned tail as we moved out into open country and lost the shelter of houses.
Stamp me though, as we were ambling back we passed under a couple of trees and there, amidst the storm and pestilence, was the sweet sound of ............ birdsong. Birdsong on New Years Day, I can't recall hearing it before. I judge that it was a pair of robins though I couldn't see them. Maybe our tame wildlife botherer would care to speculate?