Something about Swithun?

Image by neilalderney123 via Flickr

Saint Swithun's Day [or Swithin] is July 15th (along with St. Bonaventure). He was Bishop of Winchester in the 9th century. The proverb (or is it a superstition) goes that the weather on his feast day will continue for 40 days, and sure enough it was raining on Thursday in Morecambe and has continued to do so ever since. Not sure I'm up for another 35 days of this, but at least my broad beans are growing well.

There are various theories about how the saying came about - from the weather when his remains were reinterred to a storm on July 15 in the 14th century. In fact, there is some scientific evidence to suggest that the jet-stream settles into a pattern which is steady through late July and August, so the weather mid-July may well indicate what is to come.

Wonder what happens in a leap-year? Anyway, it's very wet and shows no sign of letting up.

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• Happy (wet and windy) St Swithin's Day (independent.co.uk)
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Snow in Morecambe

Snow that settles is a pretty rare occurrence in the Lancaster and Morecambe area, especially on the lower ground, and particularly near the coast. Last night we had a snowfall, and as I set off at 7-30am to get ready for the 8am communion, this was the view from my front door. Thought the Church and Poulton War Memorial Hall looked very photogenic today. This view of Morecambe (or Poulton-le Sands I should say) makes me think of the Cotswolds or somewhere much further south.

Meanwhile the modest(!) Rectory was also shrouded in snow.
Through the trees you might glimpse the bay window. Just got a pair of curtains for it - 11 feet wide by 7 feet 6 ins drop. I make that 165 sq feet - that's a lot of cloth for one window!

The snow is starting to melt now, but I suspect it will still be cold for a bit yet.