A vote for de-evolution…

We had a pretty good early spring this year, but that has since been overshadowed by a crappy summer so far. Floods have devastated parts of the country and everywhere else has become steadily waterlogged too. We are not too surprised with a certain amount of meteorological variability in this country, it being the stereotypical topic of choice here. It is expected that Wimbledon will be extended due to rain (why they don’t have a roof over central court is a mystery), that Glastonbury will be knee deep in mud and posh people will be paddling around the Hampton Court Flower Show, but we usually hope to see some sun in-between these events. Alas it is not to be this year and we, desperate for a chance to enjoy the great outdoors, look skyward for a little glimmer of light so that we can have a BBQ and use our new patio furniture. So it was that we took a chance and listened to tales that this weekend was going to be the hottest this year and made arrangements to cook over an open fire both Saturday and Sunday. We got away with it on Saturday when James and Nikala came over and we cooked Sue’s jerked pork and ate it outdoors and sat drinking and talking until nearly midnight. Sunday though was a different story and we pushed our luck by having a dozen people over (much too many to accommodate indoors) for the afternoon. Things started out promisingly as we had nibbles and drinks on the deck, but we noticed the sky darkening and occasional drops of rain as we started eating the prawn kebabs. Stoic British resolve was not enough and we had to repair to the house to consume the chicken kebabs as a thunderstorm passed overhead complete with dramatic lightning and tremendous thunder. Sue put the rack of ribs and sausages in the oven to cook and a short time later and a shout went out the sun had returned – so the brave and slightly damp folk returned to wipe down the furniture – determined to get back outside. By the time the food was cooked the sun had made a welcome appearance and we enjoyed the remainder of the afternoon as we steamed slightly under the sun’s rays. Unfortunately for us Sunday was St. Swithern’s day and tradition says that should it rain on this day then we are in for 40 days and 40 nights of more of the same. So I am considering de-evolution, as the concept of webbed feet and an ability to breathe under water sure could come in handy in the future. Still we don’t have a hose-pipe ban... ...at the moment.