UK NEWS

A BANK HOLIDAY WASHOUT

Monday May 28,2007

By Paul Broster

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THE British weather was up to its old tricks again at the weekend, bringing a wet blanket of a bank holiday for millions.

Beaches were deserted, even the roads were relatively clear, as driving rain and chilly winds lashed the country and temperatures dipped as low as 46F (8C), half the average for May.

Things may be a little better today – but the sun isn’t expected to be out much before most Britons return to work. Business as usual, really.

By midday yesterday heavy showers had hit most of England, Wales and Scotland.

Seaside resorts were hit hardest. In Bournemouth, Dorset, the beach was empty as two inches of rain fell in a few hours – the average amount for the whole of May.

Day-tripper Sarah Cook, 36, who’d travelled from home in Reading, Berkshire, said she’d had to “hop from one shop to another”, rather than just stay in her hotel.

“It’s typical to have such awful weather on a bank holiday weekend,” she said.

In Llandudno, North Wales, hardy souls huddled for warmth in promenade shelters.

And in Blackpool, Arnold Fraser, 41, decided to give up and return home to Lancaster.

He said:“I came for a good walk on the prom but there’s only so much time you can spend outside in this weather.”

In Exmouth, Devon, they had to cancel the annual sand castle competition, for fear that the creations would be washed away.

And in Leeds, the England cricket team’s hopes of quickly winning the second Test at Headingley ended when rain washed out the entire day’s play.

Met office forecaster Jon Millard said: “It’s been wet, cold and pretty miserable for most of us.

“Some western parts – from Plymouth to Wales and Liverpool – may get a bit of sunshine today, but it’s unlikely to be warm enough to get the sun cream out.”

Warmer weather may be on its way by the end of the week, when temperatures are expected to reach 64F (18C).

EXACTLY OLD TRICKS!

28.05.07, 12:13pm

Don't blame global warming Murphy and Sod were responsible for this when they forced their law through parliament being the only two there one hot summers day!

• Posted by: The_Way_I_See_It • Report Comment