Summer is with us, I can tell by the rain!
I have an old tape of a series of 15 minute programmes re King George V diaries. These cover 1914 and the year leading up to war. In all he details the weather first, he was after trained by the Royal Navy and weather watching comes natural to those working outside let alone at sea. From January right into July his comments almost always feature cold winds and rain! On occasions it is warm enough to set up the tent and work outside in the garden but even by July 22nd he is complaining of 'Rain again' and 'You would not believe it was July.'
When war erupts (the UK war began on 4th July) the weather was lovely and people had a days holiday to scamper down to the s ea or head for country pubs. On returning they discovered they were at war. No doubt it rained again after that.
Now being officially old I had to confirm my details with the local council and posted the details in their letterbox this afternoon. I then walked in the cloudy sunshine around town looking for bargains and got caught in the rain. Innit though?
The details posted show I am now officially too old for anything but voting Conservative and visiting the 'Derby & Joan' club. For the past 15 years I have however been officially able to buy one of those retirement properties for the over 50's (not that I have money) and wonder why 50 is still seen as old? With my good looks people often mistake me for someone in his twenties (oh yes they do) and I am amazed at the aged faces around me who are considerably younger and often more unfit.
One postie I have known for about 15 years has always looked to be on the verge of retirement yet she is still not of that age! Incredible! Next door the two folks I once thought had retired are only around 55! They look much older but I suppose that much alcohol can have that effect. In the museum we allow old people to enter at half price and on occasion I have to guess carefully what the age is, it is not easy to tell. I have got into trouble once or twice this way unsettling a woman or two who was touchy about her years. Most of course are happy for me to argue they are only 39 and chancing it.
There are times in your life when age matters. Being a teenager, reaching 18 and officially allowed in pubs or to drive or whatever you have been banned from until then, although in other nations the age may differ of course. Waking up one day and realising you are the age you always considered 'old' or 'Granddaddyish' and realising you are now old is another! Now I have reached 65 and the paperwork says 'You are now useless, just death to come, please move quickly to Bournemouth or Eastbourne.' Rejoice! Rejoice!
