Anyone seen any sunshine?

St Swithin’s Day was on 15-July, and if the weather remained fair on that day – as the forecasters said it might, although it strained the nation’s credulity – then according to an ancient tradition it would “rain no more” for the next 40 days. It seemed incredible, given that a normal July’s allocation of rain had already fallen in the first half of the month, that we could suddenly face a month of blazing sunshine. And of course it is. The St Swithin’s day proverb has been tested many times, and it has proved to be, by modern empirical standards, not all that trustworthy.

The Met Office’s forecast for the next 30 days are more likely to be accurate: their scientific verdict is that the weather will be “changeable”. The meteorologists also suggest that “some rain is likely at times” – a prediction that may be greeted with a collective groan from the human populace, but will raise the mollusc equivalent of a cheer from beneath our feet.

For slugs and snails, this summer has been a bed of roses. One village flower show has even introduced a competition for “largest slug” and “heaviest snail”. One dreads to imagine what the dimensions of the winning gastropods might be.

 

RAIN

It rained and rained and rained,

The average fall was well maintained;

And when the tracks were simply bogs

It started raining cats and dogs.

After a drought of half an hour

We had a most refreshing shower;

And then; most curious of all

A gentle rain began to fall.

Next day but one was fairly dry

Save for one deluge from the sky,

Which wetted the party to the skin

And then at last-the rain set in.

(Anon)

St Swithin's Day article main content courtesy of Sunday Telegraph

Cartoon image courtesy of Private Eye