It is just the same down here in the south of England! We seem to have been having gale-force winds for weeks now, and most days are wet, VERY wet indeed. The saving grace is that it is very mild. In fact, today's local radio announced that yesterday's high was the highest December temperature on record!

We desperately need the rain, but we have already been informed that the current two-year old hosepipe ban will remain in force throughout 2007!