As Spring in UK struggles I'm starting to think about getting a winter bike - ideas?

[Velocivixen]

I have a Surly Cross Check (2011 - Robin's Egg Blue). It's technically a cyclocross bike, but I have SKS Longboard fenders (mudguards), a Brooks B17 saddle, Carradice Barley saddlebag for all my "stuff". It's steel and has a nice ride. Not too heavy. Left the steer tube uncut, so the handlebars (drop) are about the same height as the saddle. Original tires were knobby, but the shop I bought them from specializes in "commuter" type setups, so they put Panaracer Pasela Tourguards on. I has bar end shifters (shimano) which can be easily set to do either indexed shifting or friction shifting. I was concerned about whether I would get used to the bar ends and now I love them.