MINUS 11

This is the coldest weather so far. For Hungarians, it's very moderate - many of them are walking round without hats. It's the kind of icy cold that sends draughts seeping through hats anyway, and scarves, and layers, so that you feel your body stiffen and draw back. But there's absolutely no refuge from it. Until you come back indoors to the amazing blast of uncontrolled communist-era centrally heated blocks.

How hellish to be sleeping on the streets tonight, and there are some who do - under shelters of scaffolding, with dirty old quilts and mattresses made from cardboard boxes. Shame on any society that can let its old men shiver and, in some cases, die in pathetic berths like these.