Why do we live in England?
Hmmm. Drums fingers. I'm really beginning to wonder why ANYONE would ever choose to live in this country. I have 45 children (more fool me) coming to a 'Garden Party' on Sunday at our house. Now, this should all be quite simple. Blow up the paddling pools. Throw in some coloured plastic balls. Peg down the waterslide. Get the water pistols out. Throw down some rugs for the picnic tea. Play a few team games and Bob's Your Uncle. Everyone has a great time. Not too stressful.
You would have thought it would be safe to plan something like this for the middle of July, wouldn't you? It's not like I'm perversely trying to pull this one off in April, May or even June. No. It's July. But hey. This is England. The temperature flickered at 12.5 degrees celsius yesterday. A chill wind blew and made it feel even colder. The tomato plants shuddered, the cucumbers said 'You've got to be joking', the slugs ate the broccoli.
There is absolutely no doubt about it that if you live somewhere that manages to be warm and sunny in the summer (not too much to ask, I wouldn't have thought), then life is so much easier. You don't have to spend your whole time making decisions: if it's sunny we'll do this; but if it's rainy we'll do the other. Constant provision making for bad weather. It's absolutely exhausting. I've just wasted 2 hours of my time going over to a friend's house to pick up a pair af gazebos (thank you friend), JUST IN CASE it rains. Given I've now got them and wasted that time, it probably won't. Just like umbrellas. I've been checking the forecast and it changes every five minutes, but at least it's moved from Heavy Rain (all day) to Light Rain. And I hear you all cry - 'Oh it doesn't matter, the kids will have a great time even in the rain.' Yeah well, all fine and dandy if it's at least summer temperatures, but I can tell you right now, it is pretty grim up here when it's raining, windy and 12 degrees. And the temperatures are looking low. 18 at best.
Anyway, me sweethearts, that's enough moaning. I have party bags to fill, shopping to do, kids to collect and ferry around for the next 3 hours - oh, and the sun's just come out! Shame I have to be driving around again. When will I EVER just get to sit in a deckchair in the sunshine in my own garden on a proper summer's day? I know, when I'm 80...
On that merry thought, I shall bid you a fond farewell. Please offer up a prayer or two for me. And if you don't hear from me again on this blog, it's because I have committed hari kari (again).
Happy Weekends y'all.
You would have thought it would be safe to plan something like this for the middle of July, wouldn't you? It's not like I'm perversely trying to pull this one off in April, May or even June. No. It's July. But hey. This is England. The temperature flickered at 12.5 degrees celsius yesterday. A chill wind blew and made it feel even colder. The tomato plants shuddered, the cucumbers said 'You've got to be joking', the slugs ate the broccoli.
There is absolutely no doubt about it that if you live somewhere that manages to be warm and sunny in the summer (not too much to ask, I wouldn't have thought), then life is so much easier. You don't have to spend your whole time making decisions: if it's sunny we'll do this; but if it's rainy we'll do the other. Constant provision making for bad weather. It's absolutely exhausting. I've just wasted 2 hours of my time going over to a friend's house to pick up a pair af gazebos (thank you friend), JUST IN CASE it rains. Given I've now got them and wasted that time, it probably won't. Just like umbrellas. I've been checking the forecast and it changes every five minutes, but at least it's moved from Heavy Rain (all day) to Light Rain. And I hear you all cry - 'Oh it doesn't matter, the kids will have a great time even in the rain.' Yeah well, all fine and dandy if it's at least summer temperatures, but I can tell you right now, it is pretty grim up here when it's raining, windy and 12 degrees. And the temperatures are looking low. 18 at best.
Anyway, me sweethearts, that's enough moaning. I have party bags to fill, shopping to do, kids to collect and ferry around for the next 3 hours - oh, and the sun's just come out! Shame I have to be driving around again. When will I EVER just get to sit in a deckchair in the sunshine in my own garden on a proper summer's day? I know, when I'm 80...
On that merry thought, I shall bid you a fond farewell. Please offer up a prayer or two for me. And if you don't hear from me again on this blog, it's because I have committed hari kari (again).
Happy Weekends y'all.
Comments
This has also been a very strange summer, weather-wise over here. We have had record-breaking amounts of rain, and the temps stay very cool. This has also played havoc with lots of plans, since we colonials are used to being able to more or less rely on weather forecasts.
Anyhow, have fund with the children! xo
I'm sure sod's law comes into play. I can remember summer holidays when the rain started as the children came out of school in July and stopped as they went back in September. honest.
And p.s. Don't think you're being unreasonable complaining about the weather there, after living in the NW for 8 years (ish) I have to say it seriously is very very wet and cloudy there compared to down here!
Lindsay - yep, I'd have cancelled them after that too!
Kirsty - ooh, controversial!
Frances - yes, I gather NY has not been having a good summer either: boring for you but vaguely reassuring for me i.e we are not alone!
EM, SC, Cait, Mountaineer - thank you!
PM - one of ours is a winter baby - 6th Jan but both the others July and August - hence we feel only fair to throw a big party for all three in the summer!
AW - YES, YES and YES! With grandparents still firmly ensconced in Sussex, I KNOW how much better the weather is down there!! Really does rub it in a bit when they say 'We're just having a drink on the terrace...' as I huddle up next to the Aga and listen to the rain lashing the windows AGAIN...! You did the right thing...
Next year you might want to get a tent, just in case!
Hope you had a good time nonetheless.
CJ xx