A yellow weather warning was in effect across parts of the UK today, including southern England, linked to Storm Goretti. This led to the cancellation of some events, with heavy rain arriving in the early evening and overflowing gutters.

Had the temperature been lower and the precipitation fallen as snow, it could have been spectacular. As it was roads turn splashy, and reflected the lights.

The street Christmas lights remain on, although the Market Place lights have now been switched off, it being a couple of days after Twelfth Night. The wind has not been particularly strong so far, though conditions are unsettled and it could change.

Last night was the coldest of the year, with temperatures falling to between –5 and –10°C. Snow was falling when many of us woke in Abingdon this morning. It settled on roads and pavements.

Some shop windows still carry their seasonal snowy displays and for once have been matched by the conditions outside.

Town council staff were out gritting paths across the Market Place and in the town council parks.

They were also busy updating the notice boards with the latest posters.

One of the events being advertised is The Snow Queen. For a few hours at least, Abingdon seemed to be under her spell.

Yesterday was hot, and people were glad of the water fountain in Roysse Court.

Down by the Mill Stream, birds not usually thought of as water birds had joined the ducks and moorhen and swans

— drawn by the need to drink or dip their feathers.

It wasn’t a weekend or school holiday, but there was already a queue of people glad to find the open-air pool open.

The lone parent swan family are surviving. Having lost one parent, there are still eight siblings — already in the water, they come ashore in search of food.

It was a hot day with temperatures up to 32°C. Not a cloud in the sky.

The hole in Bridge Street was filled in yesterday and tarmacked today, with the temporary traffic lights now removed – to the relief of drivers.

At Abbey Meadow, the open-air pool was brightened by sun umbrellas and people with beach towels.

Over by the splash pad, children ran screaming through the fountains of water

The town began to have a holiday feel.