These constant rainy days are really starting to get on my tits. I’m not unfamiliar with big weather. As an army brat in faraway Malaysia, there was the annual inundation during monsoon season, with overflowing sewers and flooded classrooms. And then there was the ‘Great Storm’ of 1987, which barrelled across the land and ripped off half the roof of my house. In more recent times, as semi-retired Aegean gentlemen of leisure, Turkish winters taught us a lesson or two. Spare towels were requisitioned to stem the relentless tide of water flowing under windows and doors as angry tempests crashed ashore, overwhelming storm drains and trapping us inside for days on end. Our Bodrum gaff was only saved from flash floods and floating cars by stout stone garden walls. They don’t tell you that in the guidebooks.
Norwich may well share the same latitude as Calgary in Canada, but the Gulf Stream flowing up from Mexico keeps our islands relatively warm, winter-wise. It also keeps them damp. But enough is enough. We’ve just endured the wettest winter since 1836, and so far this spring, hardly a single dry day has gone by. It’s not big weather, it’s boring weather. Even the ducks are pissed off.
But to provide some cheer, I finally got to see seven swans a-swimming. Two proud parents and five cygnets were spotted mucking about in Loddon Staithe*.
The photo is courtesy of Loddon Town Council
*A staithe is a riverside dock traditionally used for loading and unloading cargo. These days, they’re used for mooring leisure boats.
Perking the Pansies 
I couldn’t deal with the weather. I’ve been in the desert most of the time now for almost 54 years. I’m used to sunshine. Sunshine on top of sunshine. And then toss in a little extra sunshine.
Of course, with that, our days are hot now. I am housesitting in Tucson, and yesterday it was 103° which is almost 40° for the rest of the world. I head back home, which is at a higher elevation, and it will be a balmy 93°, or about 34° for you.
Tuesday I head to Kentucky to visit with my sister and then I’m traveling with her and family up to Michigan where I will be happily on the lake for two weeks. And, poor me, my bedroom is the sleeping porch, which looks out over the lake. It will be a nice break from the heat.
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We’d take some sunshine off your hands as you’ve got loads to spare! 😉 A cool breeze by a Michigan lake sounds great!
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We do! Im glad to trade you for some rain!
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I’ll trade you both for some rain! We had a spit yesterday, first time in two months. I used to go to Michigan in the summer. A dream. I guess we’ll be playing whack-a-mole to get away from the extremes. Wait until my blog tomorrow. 🌞🔥🌞🔥
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I’ll send some over! 🌧️
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💦💧☂️☔️🌈
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