As I plus dawg plodded through the sodden fields this Christmas morning (after yesterday narrowly being missed by a falling waterlogged tree as it crashed on to the road), somehow I was reminded of this, from back in April:
Head of water resources at the Environment Agency Trevor Bishop said: "A longer-term drought, lasting until Christmas and perhaps beyond, now looks more likely...
The agency said while rain over the spring and summer would help to water crops and gardens, it was "unlikely to improve the underlying drought situation"...
The Wildlife Trusts says prolonged drought not only reduces drinking and bathing water for birds, but makes it harder for birds, small mammals, amphibians and reptiles that feed on insects and worms. Blackbirds, robins, thrushes, starlings, badgers, hedgehogs and shrews all find it hard to reach worms and soil-based insects during dry conditions, it said. And water voles become more vulnerable to predators as water levels drop.
Isn't it just wonderful when experts tell us what is going to happen. And then get it about as hopelessly wrong as it is possible to be, but don't resign in shame?
Squelch. Splash.
I hope that all readers have a had a warm and maybe even partially dry Christmas.
Now what's the forecast for tomorrow? More rain.
