First it was just, well, grey. Then it snowed, heavily, but dissolving as soon as it touched the ground. Then it rained. Then it did it all over again, and when the unexpected and dazzling burst of sunshine caught the raindrops, the trees were festooned with dancing diamonds,  and I was transported albeit temporarily, to some magical place considerably more elegant and ethereal than the laundry sorting and other Sunday chores on offer.