St Swithun's Day

It is very English to obsess about the weather and even more so this summer. It has been the wettest ever recorded. Today however we have fingers and toes crossed that it will be sunny.
For today is St Swithun's Day:

St. Swithun's day, if thou dost rain,

For forty days it will remain;
St. Swithun's day, if thou be fair,
For forty days 'twill rain na mair.

Sea of Umbrellas

The rain's back.

May Showers

Caught out again yesterday. I recommend you buy shares in umbrella companies.

We'll all be looking for vitamin D capsules soon. Can the rain dancers please go home now and let us have some sun.

Love London

The rain doesn't bother everyone. I'd like to know how much more of this rain before we stop hearing we are still in a drought. Even a flood or two hasn't changed the status.

Spring has sprung ...

Typically Spring is a rather wet season in the UK. So far April has been the archetypal Spring month with monsoon like downpours, and sky based fireworks and music. Even better, April is promising to carry on as it began, right until it's end. Believe it or not most of the UK is officially in drought (I can hear you all chuckling in disbelief, but it is true!) with hose pipe bans and other water saving measures in force. Sadly though April's efforts are unlikely to break the drought.

After the Rain

Street reflections after the rain.

Rain

It has been hot and humid with rain expected for a couple of days. Yesterday afternoon the rain came with a few bursts of thunder. Lovely big drops of rain. Relief from the humidity at last.
I do love taking pictures in the rain, I just need to work out a better way to hold the umbrella when my camera is in two hands.

Rain

What has happened to our summer? Rain, rain and more rain this week.

T/raining

The Poor school set up in the mid eighties in response to a need for top quality training for those who couldn't afford full time study.
Students train evenings and weekends.
Brings to mind the song from My Fair Lady... the rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain.......

Lines and Reflections

A lot of waiting is involved in having people walk into your frame just where you want them to be, especially somewhere as busy as Trafalgar Square.

Raincoat Day

A perfect day for camera raincoat, dozens of umbrellas to battle with in the streets.
Is it just me or has anyone else noticed that umbrellas are getting bigger, especially in small spaces.

Caught in the Rain

Trying out my new camera raincoat. No truly. I love taking pictures in the rain but how do you juggle an umbrella and camera. Simple. You don't. Unless you have three hands. You buy a waterproof cover for your camera. Watch this space for lots of rain pictures.
Although we'll probably have weeks of sunshine now that I'm prepared.

Perfect night for the Movies

A sudden an unexpected downpour at Leicester Square. Seemed like the perfect time to go to the movies.

Skywatch Friday - Puddles

Isolated showers I think they call them. They are those rain clouds that chase you. No matter where I am they are always right above me. I can see the clear sky just a block away. Especially on the days that I forget my umbrella.

Remember to visit other skywatchers around the globe

Skywatch Friday - Misty Shanghai

Another postcard from my travels.
It's raining with mist hanging low over the city. I imagine it is rather weird being in the top stories of the incredibly tall buildings here, seeing nothing but cloud. Maybe sometimes they are above the cloud. Hasn't dampened my spirits in anyway. I feel it gives the city an added air of mystery. No wonder so many writers love this place.

I had the good fortune to meet one such person on my first day. I had just finished reading 'The last Chinese Chef' on the plane. My first day I literally stumbled upon an event organised by the local literary club. The author was giving a talk about her book.

As always don't forget to visit other skywatchers around the world.

Not now thanks

Hmm think I'll find somewhere a little drier.