Squirrels seem to be the next big thing. Omnipresent in London’s parks, the endearing rodent is quickly expanding its territory, albeit in a somewhat involuntary fashion. For years it has been served by gourmet chefs, sold by specialised butchers and soon it might become a regular feature on the shelves of your local supermarket. But as a North London Budgens regularly sells out its supply of squirrel meat, squirrel stew is not the only thing to rave about…

Christmas, a time of love and care for our next of kin, of harmony and kindness, of loving words and… naaa… It’s the peak time of housing envy more like. It’s never easy to walk past all those nice houses, still owned as one (rather than having been split into several neat little “holes in one”), but now the proud owners are really rubbing it in. They simply can’t help but showcase their beautifully decorated Christmas trees in immaculately clean bay windows.

It has been raining a lot recently, but I’m sure no Londoner – native or temporary – will need to be reminded of that; and please don’t mention those shots of sunshine purely designed by some higher force to trick you into leaving your umbrella at home!