Garth George: Of sun & rain and 'climate change'

There are few things in this life that brass me off more thoroughly than an interminable period of grey skies, wind and rain. So you can imagine my joy to awaken on Wednesday to sunshine streaming through the windows and only the softest of zephyrs disturbing the trees.

How marvellous it was to pull on a polo shirt and shorts and take the dog for a stroll in the balmy summer air. I felt better than I have in weeks.

For it is weeks, if not months, since we last had a real summer's day. The constant overcast days and persistent wind-driven rain have cast a shadow over the summer holiday period, even for me who can stay indoors if I wish. I really feel for those who have to take their annual holidays at this time and whose vacations were spoiled.

And it's not over yet. If the weather prophets are to be believed we're going to suffer this abominable summer weather for a month and more to come.

However, down in the far south, where you expect it to be wet most of the time, a long-term drought is causing serious problems for urban water supplies and farmers trying to keep stock fed and watered.

I reckon it's a shame that God didn't programme the weather with the same infinite precision he programmed the phases of the sun, moon and tides, which can be predicted for any day for thousands of years ahead.

But perhaps it isn't. Because you can guarantee that, like genetic engineers who want to alter the natural attributes of humans, animals and plants, scientists would by now be doing their damndest to change the weather - and that sort of interference, I suspect, would soon trigger World War III.

From the day we are born to the day we die, not a day passes that we aren't in some way affected by the weather. Last year we enjoyed one of the best summers in my recent memory, reminiscent of those we used to have regularly back in the 1970s, and that ensured our enjoyment of holiday and seasonal activities and life in general.

All our lives the weather dictates what we do and when we do it, what we wear, what we eat, what and when we sow and what and when we reap. It even colours how we feel and behave, as it did for me on Wednesday.

 It dictates the quality of our sporting fixtures, what we do with our leisure,how we behave on the roads.

It creates for us, day in a day out, the necessity of making choices.

The weather also affects how we express ourselves. We can be right as rain, under a cloud, bright and breezy, lightning fast or slow as a wet week. We might have a sunny smile, a thunderous brow or an icy stare.

Oddly enough, there are those who will blame both the saturated north and the thirsty south on "climate change" and "global warming". So what? Some of us, at least, know that "climate change" is a silly term, since the world's climate has been constantly changing from time immemorial.

As for blaming carbon dioxide emissions for alleged global warming, I don't believe it for a moment. It is, I believe, just another rort by politicians and big business to squeeze more money from the populace.

Meanwhile, in the words of an old Irish proverb: "May the raindrops fall lightly on your brow. May the soft winds freshen your spirit. May the sunshine brighten your heart. May the burdens of the day rest lightly upon you, and may God enfold you in the mantle of His love."

garth.george@hotmail.com