Land of the rising damp (blah blah fishpaste)

Land of the rising damp

Brolly weather, that's what it is, black non-descript-bat-wing-portable-rain-avoider.
But guess what, I left the brolly at the B&B.

I've used it on and off about 10 times today, but still need to associate it with the 5 minute walk to the pub. I wasn't the only one to be caught out it seems. Then again, many British people seem to resign themselves to getting soaking wet in a country where the brolly is king, or at least as essential as shoes.

I'm late for my regular evening internet and "social" session, having actually done some constructive work today which felt rather good. Had a quick chat with one of the bar staff. She sounds Aussie to me, but is actually a Saffa who left for the UK when she was 10. Can't be more than 24 now, lovely girl. Went back on a tour of South Africa 3 years ago and drove up the coast by herself, visiting backpacking places along the way. She's looking for an Aussie to hook up with, as she fancies Perth and surroundings big time, but can't get the Visa. There's something special about pub workers, or maybe it's her smile.

But back on topic and back on track - rain. Always back to the rain.

I've been a lucky, lucky bastard. Eight days of mild weather on the trot, only getting caught in the rain once in Camden Town, near those odd Vampire type shops which seem to specialise in rubber, leather and the evil-but-not-really-cos-goths-are-nice gear.

But now the reality hits. It rains here in winter. It rains a lot.

A steady drenching rain of the type that's likely to find a gap between the back of your head and the back of your neck, rolling down the spine to induce a shiver-shudder.

It's pouring at a 20 degree angle, the type of rain that just doesn't happen in South Africa, save for perhaps the Western Cape.

How could I forget this simple fact ?
How could my memory loss be so great that I neglect to remember that it can rain in England for weeks on end, forget that brolly manoeuvring is the order of the day - left, right, up, down, shake, do the Brolly shake.

It's just a shake to the right, then a step to the left, lift the brolly above head, then take a lunge for the bus.

Ducks, weather for ducks. As I peer out the window, I can see a dirty duck waddling down the high street - oh wait, that's the pub signage, silly me.