themodelcommuter

England, it seems, is unique in its weather. In other countries you have what I refer to as proper weather. Unlike other countries England has no clear demarkations between types of weather. It doesn’t go from being hot, to having a period of rain, to being hot again but instead tries to mix the weather up in some random mishmash so you’ll get ‘warm with gusting winds, grey sky and endless drizzle’. Not warm and windy, not wet and windy, but some horrible combination of the two. The British commuter in general, and the London commuter in particular, must face this weather day in, day out.

I travel with a rucksack that contains all the trappings required by me when out of the house. One of the key things is it allows me to carry my umbrella in an accessible place so I can retrieve it and erect it without even having to remove my bag. This ability is invaluable in a country where rain is less a meteorological phenomenon and more a way of life. My non commuting friends are all quick to pass scorn at my umbrella always at my side in its proud position of readiness but they are all to quick to ask to share it when the heavens open.

There are days, like today, where the weather gods are simply in a foul mood and no amount of preparedness on the part of the commuter will help. Today I was forced into wearing my jacket to ward off the freezing rain that was this morning’s precipitation de jour, my umbrella being rendered useless by the howling gale that was accompanying said downpour. Content in causing me to arrive at the station wet and bedraggled the weather gods have now resorted to a more seasonal hot and sunny, rendering my coat a superfluous garment that will need to be carried. There is no doubt that should I have decided to brave the walk to the station sans jacket the weather would have settled in for a days cold drizzle. Like every other commuter it is a burden I stoically bear.

~ by The Model Commuter on June 26, 2007.