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London skyline on Monday, many of its landmarks capped in snow. Forecasters said it was the heaviest snowfall for six years, and strongly advised people to stay home.
Motorists faced a uphill struggle. Others using public transport found the entire London bus system closed and many train services cancelled. Those that did make it into the capital faced a long walk to the office.
'Well, it was really a bit of a challenge. I had to walk three miles to the station, but then I was lucky that there was a train waiting in the station, so I got on there, for it was stuck there for about ten minutes, but three quarters of an hour later, I was at Farringdon, and now I've got about a half-hour walk to the office.'
Some thought it as a good excuse not to go to work.
"I think it's great. I don’t want to be in the office."
"It's inconvenient."
That's probably what Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao thought as he arrived in London for talks with Gordon Brown. The two leaders managed to breeze smile to camera before disappearing behind the door of No. 10.
The UK is experiencing the coldest winter for 13 years, with temperatures said to fall further over the next few weeks.
Hayley Platt , Reuters.