Another very quiet week in Grayshott so in true Brit tradition lets talk about the weather.
As a wet July comes to an end we can only hope August will be less disappointing. June spoilt us with less than average rainfall and heatwaves but you'd be surprised to hear July has also seen warmer-than-average temperatures. The big difference has been above average rainfall - we would normally expect around 7cm in July and got 12cm. Yet further evidence of climate change caused by global warming perhaps? as a warmer atlantic moistens weather fronts sweeping over Britain.
Global warming sceptics may need reminding of this trend for warmer wetter summers in the UK - if the last two years are anything to go by we should brace ourselves for another dull and wet August. Last year the preponderence of August rain clouds in the UK meant there were just 105 hours of sunshine, far less than the average of 165 hours and August 08 was also the fifth wettest on record with 14cm of rain falling, well above the average 8cm, causing floods in some areas. Grim prospects!
On a brighter side it seems there are indications the number of swine flu cases in England is no longer rising as rapidly and may even have "plateaued", particulary amongst 5 to 14 year olds. I'm not a rocket scientist but perhaps this lull may be due to the onset of school holidays. The drop in infections amongst our young superspreaders is fortuitous as we are warned that high proportion of school children may experience side-effects from Tamiflu. If you are unlucky enough to get the bug, the flu hotline number is 0800 1513100 and the national pandemic flu service is at https://www.pandemicflu.direct.gov.uk/
Fingers crossed that my son Christopher's wedding next weekend can proceed free from both afflictions.
31st jul - Grayshott all set for 'Eroica' its biggest orchestral event ever
