Winter is coming

'Winter Is Coming' are the words of House Stark in George R.R. Martin's amazing book and TV series. They are a warning in the book and serve as a reminder for the dangers that winter brings.

Over the past few weeks in Mallorca the temperature has been steadily dropping. It's still a lot better than in the UK, where a 'weather bomb' is about to hit and cause lots of trouble. There have already been thousands of people left without power and travel has been disrupted as well. Ferries have crashed together and some transport services have been cancelled. Rain might cause flooding and the strong winds have closed bridges in Scotland. Those like me who are going to go home for Christmas are hoping that flights aren't cancelled.

In Palma, it has just got colder. The sun still shines but without the heat that it had before. Mallorcans walk with big coats on and scarves while I still wear a T-shirt. It is cold but it doesn't feel like winter yet.

My idea of winter in the UK is the wind that can make your bones cold and rain that soaks through your clothes. I remember walking through my town with snow falling around me and seeing snowmen appearing in the gardens.

I miss feeling extremely cold because in the UK the cold is normally only outside. With fireplaces and central heating in houses, you can get home and feel the heat from inside. You can take off your wet clothes, get comfortable in a warm jumper and sit in front of the fire. The only thing missing is a cup of hot chocolate or a glass of mulled wine.

Mallorca doesn't have a lot of central heating. My house is always cold. It doesn't get a lot of sunlight and the walls are very thin. I miss my central heating at home. Winter is coming and I am going home. I don't want to miss it!