Alas, all thoughts of successive Grand Slams bit the dust in the biting cold of the Stade de France, but Ireland at least got their championship bid back on track with a stirring win over England.

BBC: Ireland v Wales

What do you make of householders turned austere pilgrims who live in tatty canvas tents on a flood plain of a river braving regular baths in freezing water, biting cold, smoky skies and ear-splitting din for more than a month?

BBC: Does the Kumbh Mela experience improve your well being?

Many of us are lucky enough to recall with pleasure the Christmases of our childhood: the gifts left by the chimney for Father Christmas, carols sung in biting cold weather, nativity plays, the warm glow we felt as Mother carried in the flaming Christmas pudding decorated with holly.

BBC: An eye on simplicity

Hard to find any nail-biting about a cold winter propping up already higher-than-normal gas prices at Energen Corp (nyse: EGN - news - people ).

FORBES: The Best Of The Best

The Met Office said it was expecting drier and brighter weather in Wales while remaining cold with biting winds.

BBC: Wales weather: Power restored after heavy snow

Wei-Yin Chen pitched nearly as well, but the Orioles' batters couldn't do much against Kuroda and his heavy, biting sinker on a cold and breezy night in the Bronx.

WSJ: After 3-0 loss in NY, Orioles finally headed home

Cold, cloudy and raw, with a biting wind to boot.

FORBES: Mets Open to Cloudy Weather and Future