I have noted recently from the oft-quoted CET figures that February 1986 was an
exceptionally cold, but dry, month.

It happened to be the month that I last moved house. I recall a couple of
things about that month. The very low absolute humidity caused more static
electricity build-up when working in our new house than I have known since
(except in N American hotels in winter) - all of our family were subjected to
frequent electric shocks.

Notable also were day after day of very low maxima, often below freezing. One
result of the cold weather was that all of our house-plants, kept overnight in
the mover's pantechnicon, were lost to frost except for the umbrella plant.

We still have the umbrella plant - it seems to take no end of abuse and thrive;
in faCt this year we have left it outside and it seems to be unaffected by frost
- it should be re-classiified as hardy IMO.

JPG