My wife got a free dishwasher with her marriage licence, Me, and I make a damn fine job of it. I guess we are very lucky, our electricity accounts are very reasonable and with gas for water heating, a cylinder will last for five months at the cost of only $100.00, about fifty pounds.

Our temperatures throughout the year are very acceptable, rarely very cold other than on a deep winter's night when we are tucked up in a nice warm bed. In this apartment I had double glazing installed, plus the walls and ceiling are fully insulated. It's really quite amazing how this keeps the heat indoors and won't allow it to escape, which reduces heating costs considerably.

I must be a right misery, I am not too keen with snow on Christmas cards … I like the summer. Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!