A few years ago Cath decided that we should invest in some new furniture for the back garden. Being a student of the Anything For a Quiet Life school of marital relationships, I agreed. So we splashed out on a table, some chairs, and an umbrella. Then we waited for summer. And waited. It soon became obvious that our purchase had a put a hex on the weather. And I'm sorry to have to report that we've done it again.

The other week Cath decided that we should transform the back garden into a paradise of swings and paddling pools. Thinking AFAQL I agreed. So we put them in the back garden. And it started to rain. And rain. And it hasn't really stopped for any length of time since. The stern look on Olivia's face here may have something to do with the crackle of thunder that was filling the sky at the time it was taken.

For anyone who was looking forward to summer, for example Ruby, I can only apologise.