Why is it that the weather affects us all so much? My rational mind tells me that the earth needs moisture but how much is enough? Today is the eighth day on the trot that precipitation has governed the skies. Not so much as a glimmer of sunshine.... not to mention a little ray of hope or a blast of heat... Ye gods and little fishes! My rational mind also tells me that it shouldn't REALLY bother me that its raining AGAIN but it does. My rational mind needs a holiday. Cycling home at lunch time today was quite an experience. Rain bucketing down relentlessly, drivers on the verge of insanity permitted to take charge of motorised vehicles, pedestrians glued to sidewalk walls in a vain attempt to remain something other than sodden, little children clutching their schoolbags, bent in two, against the onslaught of the elements and me. Me, aboard the ecologically friendly two wheeler, hell bent on making the journey home as short and as speedy as possible. Not to be. Bravely clutching the handlebars, legs going faster than the speed of light, water, water everywhere but remaining confident of success I pedalled forth. Only to be apprised of the presence of a large truck behind me by a loud honking of horns .. he was in a hurry, he was sick of driving in this weather, he had a fight with the trouble and strife, he didn't think cyclists should be allowed use the main roads, he was robbed of the darts match last night ...... Didn't really matter to me as I hit the tarmac .... I don't even like darts. Needless to say, with my dignity in tatters and my trusty steed in danger of being despatched to the great scrap yard in the sky, I came out fighting.... backed up by a few stalwart onlookers, a couple of whom resembled umbrella wielding grannies (a dangerous breed as everyone knows). He, after a theatrical screech of brakes, stopped and got out to give someone a piece of his mind. Big, big mistake. After much muttering and mumbling he bowed to the greater strength of the opposition. He even apologised although I do think the apology was prompted by the aforementioned umbrella wielding granny. The trusty steed is a little wonky... not running as smoothly as before ... no doubt GB(golden balls) , my long-suffering sidekick, will spend happy hours oiling and straightening, scratching his head and generally making a meal out of it and I will be eternally grateful, as usual. I think I will wait for a fine day to venture forth on my iron horse again.