Lack of Rain

This is perhaps the sunniest week I have ever known.

I find it bizarre on many levels that once the temperature rises Leyland stops being Crap Town Central USA becomes some sort of idyllic haven in the eyes of the general public.

Those who stay out late on the park are no longer considered dangerous youths who loiter with intent, but carefree youngsters making the most of of a lovely day. Old men smiling at children are happy about the glorious sunshine, and not suspected peadophiles.  And so on.

I do wonder why at the first glimpse of the suns rays do people feel the need to shed quite as much clothing though, and slather on as sun cream. Worden Park has never had such a strong coconut smell. At the risk of sounding like a kill joy, we are not exactly in Barbados. Middle aged men and above take note: please stop using the lack of rain as an excuse to bare your legs in questionable shorts. 

It touches my heart, the reckless abandon and speed at which British people throw themselves into sunny weather, desperate to enjoy it to its full, lest we annoy mother nature with our lack of appreciation, thus depriving ourselves of nice weather until kingdom come. Garden Centres are flooded with sun-crazed loons, grabbing at plants and seeds in a frenzy, like Politicians around a pot of tax payer's money. They trust inexplicably that the weather will nurture and love their plants, and not kill them with severe frost within weeks, as has occurred 5 years on the trot, leaving their garden looking wilted and forlorn.  They race up to Argos and B&Q and wrench the largest paddling pools known to mankind from the shelves, blissful in the knowledge that they will near enough pass out when trying to blow it up when the foot pump breaks, that the water from the hose will be freezing and most likely give their loved ones a headcold, and that for weeks later an enormous rectangle of mud and pulped grass will mar the garden (now wilted and forlorn). 

Barbeques sprout in the corner of every patio, and the smell of charcoal and burning meat raises the spirits of all those who stand within a half mile radius. The hole in the ozone layer increases considerably as every man completes his yearly share of cookery by burning all manner of fossil fuels in the pursuit of a BBQ tea. Still, perhaps it is people such these who we should thank for this beautiful weather, and a topic of conversation to release people from awkward silences everywhere.

I have to go now, I have planting to do...