Search for coat leads me to my block of flats

I have never been colder than here in Beijing. A perishing cold that creeps across your back and chills your arms and legs.

Of course it was my own fault. When we left the United Kingdom in the middle of August, the last thing on my mind was to pack my winter coat. Then as November arrived and the mercury plunged I found that my raincoat was inadequate.

Being a Scotsman I was reluctant to shell out a load of money for another winter coat. And in any case I had seen exactly what I needed: an olive green, army greatcoat as worn by street hawkers and hot chestnut vendors.