A Couple of Drops of Sunshine

It rained a bit yesterday. Between 9am and 12 midday, we had 25mm; between 12 and 9pm, another 26mm; and, overnight, a further 11mm. Which means that we enjoyed a grand total of 62mm in 24 hours - that's two and half inches in the old money.

In many ways, such quantities of rain have very little effect. The burns fill and become raging torrents - the above picture is courtesy of 'Kilchoan Early Bird', for which many thanks - and sometimes they spill across the road, meaning that motorists may have to slow down or, even, wait for it to subside. But the burns never seem to be angry for long.

The photo of the flood across the road, shown in yesterday's 'Picture of the Day', was taken at midday, yet by half past one it had all but drained away. Even the puddles in the fields, around which the sheep graze in a disgruntled way, are gone within hours. This particular puddle was an asset to the swallows, who spent their time swooping over it collecting insects.

Heavy rain is cheerless for groups like campers and small birds, who have little choice but to be out in it, and few opportunities to dry themselves, but when we were walking yesterday it was surprising how many people we met, exercising their dogs and stopping to moan about the weather. Those of us who live here permanently have long ago learnt that a good set of waterproofs is essential to normal life, though it's increasingly difficult to find boots, other than wellingtons, which are genuinely waterproof.

Never mind. It's much drier this morning, with only a few drops of Kilchoan sunshine around.