It's snow joke

Last night I went to a drinks reception held at the Swiss Re building, more commonly known as the Gherkin, that cigar-shaped monolith in the City of London.

I have to say it's a fantastic place. It was like being in a James Bond film. The reception was right at the very top, and we were on this suspended platform looking 360 degrees across London. It was really well lit, something I was remarking on when I was in Helsinki - everything is so beautifully, cozily lit there as to make you never want to leave wherever it is you are.

Anyway, the Gherkin was truly magical, and not a lot really moves me very much these days. It's one of those places that you can only get into if you work there or if you're attending a function, and I was lucky enough to be in category B. I can't imagine it ever happening again.

The only drawback - going down 39 floors for a fag. I did it once then couldn't be bothered. Will I feel the same way when the smoking ban comes in?

Thankfully in Helsinki you can smoke everywhere, and everyone does. We had a great time, slight words with our American friend on the last night. She was saying American's aren't all that bad. She's right of course, but she was saying it's waring and actually racist not to like Americans, the first part of wich may be true if you're an American, but the second part plainly ludicrous. The next day it was all forgotten. But I don't think we'll be bringing the subject up in a hurry in the future.

Of course like everywhere else in Europe, there was no snow. At all. Usually there's at least snow on the ground. It was kind of cold but not really. It was most disappointing. But Helsinki does Christmas very well. Mulled wine and gingerbread at every turn, beautiful free-of-charge giftwrapping, candles in every - and I mean every - window. But no snow to cap it off. Surely snow hasn't disappeared forever?

I remember about 10 years ago an "expert" saying we would never see snow in central London again. That clearly never came to pass, so I think a harsh winter is only around the corner. Here's hoping.