Day 4

When I wrote my last post, the sun was shining and I was feeling guilty for sitting inside on such a glorious day. Fortunately, today I was spared this guilt because from 6am to 4pm, it rained. Hard.

I'll say it straight out: I love the rain. The stormier the better. There's something intensely satisfying and cosy about being indoors as a storm rages outside. Perhaps it's a triumphant feeling, as I almost feel I have beaten the weather by staying inside where it can't touch me. Or perhaps it's simply the comforting effects of the sound. I found a website recently that serves no purpose but to play a looped track of rain against a windowpane. And however much companies market 'relaxing' songs to de-stress and sleep, a simple soundtrack of rain will always be king of relaxation.

You may say that that's all very well, but what about when I have to be outside and exposed to the elements? Surely rain can't be as comforting when it's drumming incessantly on the top of your head. Well, yesterday I went on a 22-mile bike ride with a friend, and shortly after leaving the heavens opened. They stayed open for about ten miles. Of course it wasn't ideal that my camera and ipod should become wet through, and I should get spattered with mud all over, but I didn't notice any of that because I was too busy feeling exhilirated. I soon decided that there is nothing more exciting than to cycle fast through a mini-storm.

So it always baffles me when people complain about summer storms. Every time rain rolls around, weathermen admit that they bear tidings of gloom and, apologising profusely, tell us that we'll have to stay in for one more day. Personally, I rejoice at the news. It's just another excuse to curl up with a blanket and watch films for a few hours. In that case, I would love it if it rained 24/7, all year round. Bring on the thunderstorm.