Weather

I can get really frustrated at the weather in this country. I have lived in quite a few places in the world. I have also visited a lot more. I have experienced weather in them all. I can say, with very little reservation, that the weather is the most frustrating here.

It is a topic that everyone talks about. When bumping into friends and acquaintances the first or second subject that will crop up is the weather. We complain about, joke about, and worry about the weather. It seems to be so unpredictable that even the weathermen have difficulty in guessing it's next move.

You can start out the day with glorious sunshine. It is warm and the outside looks so inviting. The early appearance of the sun galvanizes you. Energy flows though every vein of your body. Quick! Get the washing machine going. Get out the lawn mower and clippers. Get out the bucket for washing the windows and the car. While scurrying about getting everything ready for your sun filled day, you also plan on what to do in the way of leisure. A walk or perhaps a visit to the seaside. And in the afternoon maybe we'll drag the barbecue out of the shed and do some burgers.

Don't bother.

I can guarantee you that before the washing machine has finished it's first cycle, the clouds will come. The temperature will drop. The wind will pick up, all the better to move more clouds in. The rain will start dripping and dropping in it's build up to the sporadic rain that will fill the rest of the day.  Your energy level plummets back to normal. Only now you have to rush around and put away all the things that you got out in preparation for your glorious sun-filled day.

You now put the kettle on for a cup of coffee, or tea if you are a native of this country, and have a grumble about the 'bloody weather' while you re-plan your days activities. Of course the first thing you will need to do after having your meditative "cuppa"  is get out the airer. Clothes don't get dry in the rain and the dryer is expensive to use. The rest of the day is spent with the feeling that you have been cheated. You feel as though everything else you are doing has a bitter feel to it. In essence you are bummed.

Of course throughout the day, the sun can make the occasional appearance. The wind will drop. And the rain? Well here is the frustrating part, the rain can (and quite often does) keep right on raining. Or not. But rest assured, that whatever the weather is doing for the rest of the day, you will not be able to plan your activities around it.

Now the day is finishing. The light is fading and night starts creeping in. But wait! What's this? The clouds are going away! The sky becomes clear and star filled. I generally start swearing when this happens.

Now I don't mind too much that I can't plan my day around the weather. I also realise that we will, hopefully, get some sunny days to enjoy. I do wish though, that if it has to  rain - and yes I do know that it is a necessity - that it could rain at night, not during the day. Still if wishes were horses beggars would ride. So I'll just have to keep my umbrella at the ready and make sure I have a good pair of wellies.