Tuesday 1 January
1963 dawned very cold although they're only is about an inch of snow in Worksop. We went for a short walk this morning but we were soon driven back because of the cold. We went out into the country close to Manston colliery. I was surprised how quickly one could walk into the country. We went to the pictures this evening to see quote “El Cid”. Good epic picture but too much fighting.

Wednesday 2 January
I went to Sheffield by train with Pat this afternoon to do some shopping. I don't think a great deal of the town - it is very dirty. The town hall has been cleaned up but most of the other buildings are a dirty black because of the smoke, sulfur, etc., in the atmosphere. We were lucky in that both our trains were hauled by B1 4-6-0s. Some more snow this evening.

Thursday 3 January
It was blowing a partial blizzard this morning. I had a brief look around Workshop but it was too cold to stop out long. We went to Carlton with Pat this afternoon to see her friend Sheila and her parents. About 6 in of snow now - not so much as at home.

Friday 4 January
I returned from Worksop to Orpington today.  The weather was still bad so I decided to go by train via Nottingham.  I caugt the 11.27 train which left an hour late from Worksop, hauled by 2-6-4 tank No. 42089 (similar to some I worked on at Shoeburyness) to Nottingham Midland.  I was lucky enough to catch a fast train to London which only stopped at Kettering.  The weather didn't seem to make much difference to the "Peak" class diesel and we were into St. Pancras round about on time.  There is still a good variety of steam to be seen in the Nottingham area. ther eis about one foot of snow, frozen solid, in Orpington.
The weather was pretty bitter with much snow and ice.  I was spending most of my time studying for finals.

Thursday 10 January
I came back to Reading today, it was very cold and there is a great deal of snow around.
I visited the Reading steam shed during this period and they were having many problems keeping the locomotives running in the severe weather - unfortunately I did not record this.

Wednesday 15 January
The great frozen spell has lasted since Christmas. There is thick ice everywhere, it is possible to walk on top of the snow. Pat and I have been out several times to look at rings.