Strange summer sightings signal change

THE DAILY mantra of “occasional showers, some heavy’’ heard on the weather forecast most days in mid and late October turned out to be joined-up downpours, relieved only by brief intervals when clouds like lead barrage balloons lowered overhead, promising yet more rain.

Sun beams were as rare as diamonds in ploughed fields over much of the south west.

“It was all predicted — warm, dry summers and warmer, wetter winters. It’s called global warming, geddit?” my friend said.