I have to admit it felt like one of the quickest journeys I have ever done for that route, normally monotony sets in about half way down the M6 but the extra concentration required to feel what was happening with the road really helped the time pass.
Apparently there were maniacs doing 80mph overtaking in the snow on the way South, I wasn't overtaken by anyone after the roadworks on the M6 but did overtake a fair few people daudling doing 65 in the middle lane so I have now come to the conclusion that I am a maniac.