Now is the winter of our mild peevishness

We are still on summer time here in Augsburg, yet this appears to have little bearing on reality. It has snowed each of the last two days and the weather forecast suggests it is going to do the same today. This is not a major problem except in as much as it adds an extra degree of indecision to the morning routine, namely: "Do I really want to go to work by bicycle today?".

This is influenced by several factors: stepping outside the house feels like being immersed in an unforgiving ice bath, the pavements are additionally slippery and hence dopey students less readily avoidable and cars threatening instant injury when pulling out of sideroads are now an even greater risk. A moment of weakness resulted in a commute by car on Friday, the excuse being that the bike really needs a serious clean before it is in decent riding condition.

In an attempt to ameliorate this tiresome state of affairs, I have obtained a balaclava, ensuring that I not only look like a criminal but also have a warmish face. The added bonus is that old ladies seem to have become inexplicably charitable towards me of late. I must try heading into the convent across the road.

The other nuisance is that winter tires are apparently a necessity in this part, enforced by the police. It is utterly ridiculous to buy these in October, but they might become necessary later on. Another unwanted expense.