Rain and yet more rain!

I hate this time of year sometimes. As some of you will know I have two dogs - both of whom require exercise on a daily basis. Shirley, the little one, is allergic to the rain and does not like to go out if it is too cold or wet. Pepsi on the other hand is desperately keen to have a walk regardless of the weather of time of day. As a result my daily routine starts with a walk every morning from around 5.45am. Today it was a bit wet - actually it was absolutely tipping it down and I don't think I have ever been so wet with my clothes on. Pepsi loved it - she splashed through puddles, leapt into the river and had a thoroughly lovely time. When we eventually got home there was the problem of getting dry again - both me and the dog. This is the route of my dislike for rain - it makes so much mess!

Before everyone thinks I am just rambling there is a point to the above. The rain has a similar effect upon life at school - until you have sat in a room with 25 damp children you have not experienced "surround aroma". It never ceases to amaze me that some children arrive at school without coats even when it is pouring with rain. They then spend the day is a constant state of damp!

Lots of other problems also arise when it is wet. Playtimes are often cancelled and children do not get outside to re-energise by running around in the fresh air. They become fractious and fall out with each other which then has an impact on learning in lessons. Lunchtimes on wet days can be a logistical nightmare - the midday staff are run ragged trying to keep everyone happy and entertained. Again the children fall out with each other and the afternoons then become difficult again. If the children manage to get outside there is always the risk of them jumping in puddles and getting even wetter! Then there is the problem of the magnetic attraction between mud and small boys - when it rains there always seems to be at least one child who is prepared to get coated in mud from head to toe!

I don't like the rain!