What a marvel it was, last month, to see that most-unexpected of sights falling from the skies above Beijing - snow!

I've only been in China for a little more than a year now, so for me, at least, a dusting of snow in this ancient capital is still a rarity.

It reminded me of my younger years back home in the north of England, though thankfully the white stuff here seems to clear away a little quicker. I remember snowfalls of my youth icing over and sticking around for days or even weeks, gradually turning to gray from the exhaust fumes of passing trucks and buses.