A winter walk in June

When weather forecasters predict bad weather, they usually get it right. Today was no exception.
The TV weather girl said that we could expect ‘heavy and squally showers, with strong winds’ in this area. By midday, it was pouring down, and the temperature some 7 degrees C lower than yesterday too.

I couldn’t put off taking Ollie out for too long, and by 1:30 it was raining even harder. I had to get out my best waterproof coat and trousers, and also put on the heavy boots once again. As I left the house with Ollie, my hood was blown off my head, and had to be secured by pulling the toggles uncomfortably tight. I had decided to leave the umbrella at home, rather than struggle with it in a wind that was bending trees, and breaking off small branches.

Ollie was oblivious of course. Watching him run around Beetley Meadows, you might well have thought it was a balmy summer afternoon. He ignored the freezing rain, which sometimes contained sleet, and trotted around happily, despite his fur being soaked through.

Even with my best waterproofs, the rain was soon getting in, and my T-shirt was wet and uncomfortable. I was cursing myself for forgetting to wear my waterproof gloves, as my hands were freezing cold too.
I had to struggle around with my hands in the damp pockets of my coat, anything to get them out of the chill wind. After just under two hours of this miserable walk, I called it a day, and headed for home. After getting out of the damp clothes, pleased to be back inside, I checked the calendar.

Sure enough, it was the 6th of June, not the end of November. Not far off of midsummer’s day, I considered, with an ironic smile. But I stayed positive of course. The farmers need this rain.

Apparently.