When there is no central heating; when your whole family is huddled around one heater and you are wearing layer upon layer of clothing; when you can see your breathe in the bathroom and the pipes for the water heating system have frozen and burst; when all three kids are sharing the only warm bedroom; when your bedsheets are cool to the touch and each night seems colder than the last; then you start to long for Spring.

I’ve come to hope in Chinese New Year putting an end to winter as much as the locals do – and thankfully it’s only a few days away. If it can bring spring after these record low temperatures, even I will be lighting off firecrackers in celebration!