For the definition of a wet weekend, look no further
Weather watchers know better than to ignore the old clichés, but inexplicably this week I seem to have forgotten a golden rule: fix the roof while the sun is shining.
We decided to get the flat roof above our kitchen replaced a while back and work finally commenced this week under initially bright blue skies.
However, five days on and it remains alarmingly open to the elements, with a storm barrelling towards us.
Rare to have such a unifying forecast for the country but today’s brings just that: rain for all. And this is far from your average autumn downpour as Storm Alex gives way to a band of downright filthy weather blowing in from the east.
Parts of south-west England, Wales and Scotland could see up to 100mm (4in) of rain falling over the weekend and various weather warnings are in place. There is a risk of flash flooding and high winds, with coastal gales approaching 70mph in places.
I’m afraid tomorrow looks similarly bad and the early part of next week not much better. If ever the weather surmises the national mood as we prepare for a fresh wave of corona restrictions than this is it. Oh, for those heady early days of spring …
That quote about fixing the roof when the sun is shining actually comes from John F Kennedy’s State of the Union address in 1962. But for me it will always be associated with George Osborne, when he was chancellor, stealing it to justify the Government’s austerity pledges – and look how that turned out.
Anyway, our roofer assures us, with the familiar blithe spirit of a practised politician, that all will be well and everything will be watertight.
Today, though, you shall find me on full water-watch. I’ve learnt enough about dodgy promises over the years to know always have a spare bucket to hand.