"I FOUND it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay – small acts of kindness and love” – a quote that is as relevant and uplifting today as it was when it was said by Gandalf in a time between the dawn of fairy and the dominion of men.

If Gandalf is correct, it means you can fight radicalism by dragging the neighbour's bin into the yard, which is good, as I can't draw for toffee.

Mind you, he also said "by foul craft, Saruman has crossed orcs with goblin men " so perhaps his wisdom was a bit hit and miss.

Anyway, the snow, the flippin' snow. There was nothing in Darlington on Tuesday night but by the time I reached Catterick Garrison it was an inch thick and had compacted down to ice on the roads.

Heading towards Leyburn, a tanker could go no further and was causing tailbacks back down the hill.

Some motorists turned around, others refused to go any further, their stricken vehicles causing further chaos.

Despite sliding around like his vehicle was fitted with slicks covered in margarine, the red Transit driver behind overtook me and other queuing cars at speed on the wrong side of the road.

Emboldened by his cavalier attitude to all our lives, we pressed on as a convoy, edging passed the stricken tanker and into the night.

Everyone sensibly kept a safe distance, apart from the Transit driver, of course, who was tailgating a no-doubt terrified Fiesta driver in a manner that was distinctly over-familiar,.

As our journey progressed it became clear that we could, nay should, survive if we kept braking and turns to a minimum. Steady as she goes, captain.

"Oh no, what about Bellerby Bank," we collectively screeched. Braking and turning definitely required. And what about the ducks at the bottom. Canard carnage.

But wait – who's this in the hi-visibility jacket flicking salt over the road? A man making a little act of kindness, that's who.

Back home into the arms of our loved ones we landed, ready to regale them with our tales of bravery in the tundra-like conditions.

"Did you pick up any milk?" they asked, completely oblivious to the peril we had endured.