Before this week, I noted that on only three occasions in the last five months had I walked in the rain. This week I have already been rained on three times!
On Monday, I thought I might just about have made it home when the storm broke.
I know some people find thunder and lightning uncomfortable, but I enjoy it.
A massive flash of lightning and clap of thunder announce a downpour of biblical proportions. The volume of water left road and pavement awash, and I did have the passing thought “at least I can swim.”
Yesterday had me scrambling in the boot of my car to grab a couple of umbrellas to take to my family to get them back to the car with at least some part of us remaining dry.
Today we took a walk around Winkworth Arboretum in the pouring rain.
Despite the weather, it is a lovely place to visit, and the National Trust volunteers had done a superb job of organising visitors by offering timed tickets, creating a one-way system around the arboretum and socially distancing the refreshment tables.
The National Trust is one of several organisations that are having to cope with reduced revenue streams, so any support we can provide to them is going to be useful.
The rain subdued the wildlife as much as the humans although we did spot on the lake a pair of Little Grebes.
These cute little birds have a cute name as well; they are referred to as “Dabchicks”.
It is entertaining to see them diving for small fish and trying to guess where they are going to pop-up.
