Sorry, chris, only just seen your q.
I thought all the chaos was limited to the North, but this morning we woke up to several centimetres of snow everywhere -- not half as bad as around Paris, though, with hundreds of people spending the night in their cars etc.
We had the electrician in for a couple of small jobs which he did in a few hours. At the end he explained the typical rate around here (official) is about 240 pounds for the day (which seldom means more than 6 hours). But you're lucky to find anyone who will do more than promise to come. Is it as bad as that where you live?
Otherwise in very good spirits, now with two cats, wood-burner, Miles Kington Franglais books (just finished) -- and I think it's now time for a tiny Armagnac! Cheers!