An almost unhealthy obsession with the weather is something that the British do best. We seem to be able to pick up on minute details and use them to predict everything, from cold fronts to cloud cover, heat waves to hurricanes. “The cows are lying down, it’ll rain, mark my words.” “The pinecones have closed up, dry weather must be ahead.”
Apart from these wonderful proverbs and the obvious-daffodils, lambs, lighter evenings, etc- there are a few more quirky things which always remind me of the change in season.
I know sunny days must be on the way when the ice cream van parks outside the school. When Mr Whippy tells you it’s acceptable to eat a ninety-nine in late March, you do not argue. Winter is most definitely over.
Another sign of spring is that the canteen, normally full to the brim with cold, hungry teenagers, empties out. Suddenly sandwiches and baguettes fly off the shelves and people picnic outside.
A sorry side-effect of this better weather is the sudden realisation that summer, and therefore the exam season, is just around the corner. The library becomes significantly busier, and people start comparing notes on revision timetables and having in-depth conversations about the merits of various stationery products.
Apart from the odd dreary grey morning, I could almost believe it was June already. One day, I may even leave house without my coat. Gasp, this really must be serious.
