Sights & Sounds in a London Suburb Friday 8am

* Diamond sparkling spider-webs on emerald green hedges;

* Motley group of scarf, hat and boot brigade waiting at the bus stop (and I know some are only going one stop further, just around the corner!)

* Carefree, once light-coloured mongrels tearing between the trees in the park, skidding on wet leaves and grass and kicking mud up into the cold sunshine’s rays.

* Girl, about 11 or 12 years old, walking up to school door, Dad standing at car door on the street. “Just one more?” he calls gently. She turns slightly as I pass the open gateway. “Try?” he pleads, “Just one more?” She slips into the building and he walks around the car. What was all that about, I wonder?

* Two uniformed officers pace around the one-way entrance to the road where Nick Clegg, Deputy Prime Minister, lives – wonder where he’s going today?

* Dads rushing towards the nursery school in business suits, duffel-coats and Harris Tweed scarves pushing buggies of squirming toddlers. Or tightly holding on to an excited, jumpy three-year old, all smiles and excited about going to school. Or trying to tightly hold on to a two-year old throwing a temper tantrum about not being picked up and carried. Two-year old being sternly disciplined in foreign language!

* Builders & painters (paint on overalls) striding down the pavement with paper cups of Nero’s coffee. Foreign? British? No conversation this morning, no clues!

* Worker-looking group standing on corner pointing, animatedly planning the day’s work. Foreigners? Nah, British face! As I get closer and hear the plans – they're foreign. Got that one wrong!

* Busy traffic light intersection: long lorries going through almost red lights and getting stuck in the middle of the intersection. Hooting from impatient VW Golf driver squeezing past and maybe getting a scratch on back bumper. More hoots as commuters having just climbed off a late bus dash across the road to catch the next mode of transport.

** The sun, rising like a squashed ball of light between the buildings at the end of the street, rising, rising and then free in the white-washed blue winter sky.

There’s always something to see in London!