Last night I braved the wet weather and wandered down to the internet cafe to spend a few coins. Paying for food with a credit card has some advantages even though you get funny looks from those who know you're unemployed.

Along the road I passed by the premises that had been occupied by a motorcycle dealership until recently. It was always a dark and uninviting place, so perhaps it's no small wonder they left. Now the premises has been reopened as a fish market, and what a strange sight.

The whole shop is brightly lit, demonstrating how large a sales space it was, and filled with row after row of shiney white freezers. That's all you see as you pass by. Funny thing is, that's not too inviting either. The starkness of it is unappealing. Little tip for the owner there.

Cold!

It's to be expected I suppose but the weather is getting to the point where I'll have to consider turning on the gas boiler. Although I'm not uncomfortable at night, at least not yet, I can only imagine what my downstairs neighbours would make of a burst pipe. And of all things, I hear the gas companies are turning up the prices, just in time for the freezing weather. Is that cynical or what? Yet they still send out letters telling customers they know how difficult it is to pay bills and want to help us stump up the cash.