Rain, Rain, Go Away
 

I've been checking the weather, and so far the forecast is for rain EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. at our destination. We have a couple of weeks before departure so I'm hoping the sun will come peeking out. Of course I expect rainy days on a trip to England, and I know the rain there is nothing like a Gulf storm, but every day is a bit much.

So how about some rain stories? Has anyone had a short break in the Lake District made excruciatingly dull by endless rain (besides me, that is?) Has anyone found a special place that they would never have discovered if it wasn't raining? How do you make the best of it when it rains?

You have a couple of weeks to departure and you've found a weather forecast that tells you what the weather's going to be like here that far ahead!!!!!

As you can see by the map in http://www.hanby.co.uk/Rainfall%20Map.htm, the Lake District is just about the rainiest part of England, and this has been a wet winter. Enjoy your trip, but bring some waterproofs.

My experience is that it's better if you see rain in the forecast BEFORE you go rather than sun, sun, sun. I've had several holidays where all I heard wherever I went was 'You should have been here last week--the weather was gorgeous!'

All anyone told me before my trip to the Lakes District and Yorkshire last June was to prepare for wet weather. Well, it was nothing but sunshine for my entire time there.

So bring a rain coat, just in case, and be ready to walk in the drizzle. It will be pretty no matter what in my opinion.

Rainy day activities would certainly include an E.F. Benson novel beside a fire with a cup of something warm to sip from. With luck there'll be a resident spaniel to pet.

I feel nervous about the possiblity of rain, too. I sort of feel cursed. On our 2005 trip to Disneyworld, we had rain 6 days out of 10. I'm not talking about the Florida afternoon rains; I'm talking about all day rain.

In Italy, we had several days of rain; we even got hailed on when taking our surrey ride in the Borghese Gardens.

Do you know where we DIDN'T get rain? Costa Rica. There we were in the rain forest and had one 10 minute downpour.

So now I'm worried about Barcelona. I guess the worst would be rain on Monday, as the museums are closed. I haev a feeling that would be a very expensive day, as there would be "nothing" to do but shop.

I know we're supposed to dress appropriately and get out there and tour anyway, and I've sure done that...but it's not as fun!!!

Unless you're camping don;t understand why everyone gets all exorcised about rain. As long as you have a portable umbie and a second pair of walking shoes (so the first can dry - just go ahead and do whatever you were going to.

It's rained at least once on every trip we've made to europe - sometimes - esp in early srpig or fall - many days. And we've never found it a big issue.

No one is going to melt from a few raindrops.

Remember, if weren't for the rain, this land wouldn't be 'green and pleasant'...... 8-)

We were going to visit Ireland. We bought lightweight ponchos. We wore them every day. We wore them every day on trips to Holland, Germany, and Denmark, too -- not necessarily all day, but every day.
We arrived in Portugal, looked out the window of our hotel room. It was starting to rain.
I went out on the balcony, raised my fist to the sky and said: "God, those ponchos were only $14.95. We've gotten our money's worth." The rain stopped. We still pack the ponchos and have used them from time to time, but not with the frequency of those early trips.
Our weather theory is pretty much to pretend every vacation is going to be in Ireland and be grateful for the bright days.

I went out on the balcony, raised my fist to the sky and said, "I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it any more."

I agree with nytraveler. I absolutely love the rain. I detest heat - thrive in about 12-18 degrees Celsius. Rain makes me rejoice and full of energy, even on vacation. Drought is common where I live and I am a gardener so it makes sense that I crave moisture!

We have experienced rain on several trips (although not every single day) and unless it is pouring so hard it hurts I love it. In fact, in the UK it makes things more atmospheric IMHO. I have an excellent waterproof jacket (and shoes) that have come in extremely handy.

My family and I got caught in a torrential downpour in Paris once, far from home and any shelter spots...It got so bad that we were forced to duck into the closest restaurant. We ended up staying for lunch and what an amazing find it was! It ended up being a place we went back to many times in the weeks to come...

So, I suppose if it rains, you can always go eat!

I'm really not all that exorcised about rain... I like an occasional rainy day as much as the next Fodorite. But I would certainly prefer that it not continue to rain every single day while I'm on my long-awaited trip.

So any more rain stories, either times when rain messed up your plans or made an outing special?

P.S. - Cimbrone, I will definitely check out E.F. Benson, as I am a big M.R. James fan! Now is it possible for me to rent a spaniel while I'm in the U.K.?

We spent a week in the Lake District in December 2004 and believe it or not, only had one day of rain! One of our 'finds' of the day was Cartmel. Beautiful abbey and some interesting small shops (including the sticky toffee pudding shop) and nice pub called the Kings Arms.

A special rain story..yes indeed JulieG. We were walking around Venice with the most horrendous rain and electrical storm. Not due to flooding but our shoes were full of water from the rain. We happened upon a restaurant in the San Palo area (where our hotel was also located) on our way back to our hotel. We were cold and so wet. A small but lovely restuarant beckoned to us. We entered and stood in the entry dripping wet. Suddenly a grandmotherly type came out from the back with a lovely smile and handed us two each a towel and indicated to us to take our shoes off which we did and consequently emptied the water out of the shoes outside the door. She put our shoes in the foyer and lead us to a table after we dried ourselves off. We never saw a menu. First we were brought red wine and than dish after dish of warm and fabulous food. The storm and electrical storm continued but we were inside this fantastic little restaurant and spent hours there We were the only non residents. Nonna and eventually the chef came out and sat with us and brought desserts and after dinner drinks (gratis). Around one in the morning the storm was suddenly gone so we gave our heartfell thanks and walked to the foyer. Our shoes were dried, paper were pulled out of them by a young man when we went into the foyer, our coats were dry also, obviously someone had wiped them off. We received hugs and kisses on the cheeks and left. I know how to get back to the restaurant (if it is still there) although I don't remember the name..actually I never knew the name, lol. Just a cosy, warm and welcoming haven during a terrible storm..and a beautiful memory I will remember forever. Just one of many beautiful memories during rain storms.

"How do you make the best of it when it rains?"

By doing exactly what I'd be doing if it wasn't, only dressing properly. What could you possibly have been planning to do in an English spring that rain stops or even inhibits?

As for believing the details of an English daily weather forecast weeks ahead...

Is there no limit to people's credulity?

" What could you possibly have been planning to do in an English spring that rain stops or even inhibits?"

Tennis? Cricket?

It amuses me that the English invented the two sports that rain stops play. :-)

I live in London and the local forecast almost never goes out more than 2 days. I just don't think they can predict that far in advance. I often compare the bbc weather forecast (5 day online) to weather.com (10 day) and it seems like weather.com just repeats a general forecast for the last 7 days (ie 52F, showers). They don't know and are very often wrong in my experience. That being said, it has rained here a lot this winter, but it is more like spotty showers vs. all day rain. It rarely rains the entire day.

While you may not want to bring wellies b/c they take up so much room, you could get yourself a pair of the crocs rain boots (I have been eyeing them) and just slosh about. It probably won't be cold.

This photograph http://tinyurl.com/2hjtpc
is not of a strict Muslim lady but is one of me in Scotland ;-)

I think that you are more likely to have sunny intervals with the odd shower at that time of year.
Spring will really be getting into its stride when you arrive.
I have masses of small species daffodils out in the garden, so the Lake District ones should be coming out.

Never believe a UK weather forecast - they are lucky to get it right on the day, never mind a couple of weeks in advance. Saying that, the worse holiday weather we ever had was in the Lake District, years ago when our kids were young. We didn't have a car at the time and hired a cottage near Great Langdale in the school summer holidays (July/August) hoping to do lots of walking, picnicing, etc and getting there by public transport. The rain set it and ranged from fine drizzle to pouring down with the cloud was so low over the mountains that we had no views. We trudged around in the rain, getting all our clothes, shoes and walking boots thoroughly soaked and muddy and spent a fortune on the infrequent busses trying to find something to keep the kids amused. By the middle of the second week, we gave up and came home.

As we live about an hour and a half drive from the Lake District, it's now easy for us to head up the motorway for a weekend or even a day in the Lakes and we've seen it in all weathers. We now generally like to spend our hard earned main holiday in warmer places, saving our favourite places in the UK for long weekends.

For those who have not yet heard it, or wish to enjoy it again, here is the Mastersingers' "Weather Forecast" in MP3 format:

http://marguerite.ca/images/mastersingers.mp3

when we were preparing for our trip to Rome in January 2007 the weather was forcasting rain almost the entire time. It never rained a drop on us. Don't worry about it. Br prepared and enjoy it if it happens.

Thanks to where2 for easing my mind about the weather.com forecast! It just looked so appalling. MariaH, our plans are much like yours for your past Lake District trip. We'll be staying in a cottage, must catch a bus when we want to go to town, and plan to do some hiking and scenery-viewing.

No thank you to the folks who have responded to my pre-trip jitters with snarky remarks. How is that helpful?

Where are you staying Julie? I hope you get some good weather, the Lake District can be beautiful in spring. That particular trip we were just very unlucky - and that was supposed to be high summer! We'd also chosen a cottage that was rather too remote for public transport - not ideal with 2 children!

The problem with the weather in the UK is that it's often changeable and never guaranteed. That's why we are all obsessed with the weather and weather forecasts!

Today in London, it has been alternating nice blue skies and sunshine with dismal grey downpours, at roughly hourly intervals, with some wind obviously pushing the clouds along.

For once, it rather looks like the old saying might be right: March - in like a lion, out like a lamb.

But remember, we're on the edge of everybody else's weather systems: changeable, but rarely extreme. Practise your skills with Scrabble, Monopoly and I-Spy just in case - and bring a book or two to add to the stock that is often left by previous guests at B&Bs. But you should be able to get about, at least, even if you may not always be able to get up on top of the fells.

Julie, it's well known that the forecasters don't get the next day's weather right, so 2 weeks ahead is impossible. However, the bbc.co.uk website is pretty reliable - just put in the nearest town or postcode to where you are staying and it gives the next 5 days forecast.
However, here's a good thing about rain. It makes the waterfalls tumble down superbly and the rivers rush along in a dramatic way. I recently saw Aysgarth Falls in North Yorkshire (quite near to where I live) after a rainy few days and they were just a magnificent sight! Very unlike the dry summer period where they are 'pretty' but nothing more. So the lake District rivers, streams and waterfalls (that is where you are going??) are going to be wonderful.

One of my husband's and my favorite rainy days was spent in Amsterdam during a drenching rain storm. We were on the Dam Square when it started pouring, so we ducked into the Nieuwe Kerk where they were having a special exhibition, <i>de Weg naar de Hemel.</i> We didn't speak Dutch...and didn't know what we were getting into. Turned out to be <i>The Way to Heaven,</i> an exhibition of reliquaries from all over Europe.

We became enthralled by the ornate boxes and vessels containing pieces of the cross, vials of Jesus's blood, and various body parts from saints, popes and other religious dignitaries. Since then, we have sought out reliquaries whenever we travel.

So a rainy day while travelling is only what you make it. Peace, Robyn :)&gt;-

Thanks again for the suggestions to use the BBC Weather site. It seems much more - how should I put it - &quot;varied,&quot; than weather.com.

Morgana, we're staying in the Hebden Bridge area as you recommended, but our cottage is outside of town.

Artstuff, I loved your story of the rainy day at the reliquaries exhibition! That sounds like wonderful serendipity.

JulieG, I hope my replies weren't among those you considered 'snarky'. It's a good idea to be aware that some parts of the British Isles get more rain than others. I live in East Anglia, which is one of the drier regions. Ireland, North Wales, Scotland (especially the Western Isles), and the Lake District are all wetter than southeast England.

For what it's worth, about the only times I have gotten sunburned in the UK have been in North Wales and Scotland. I hope the sun shines for you when you visit the Lake District, but if it doesn't, so what? No one comes to England for the sunshine. Dressed properly you can still enjoy being outdoors. I engage in country sports in the winter, and with a Barbour or Goretex coat, and waterproof boots, you can stay comfortable in all kinds of weather.

Hi Julie, thought you were going to the Lake District this trip, rather than South Yorkshire. I like Hebden Bridge and have done some walking in that area in past years. There are some good walks at nearby Hardcastle Crags and a pub worth visiting on Widdop Moor, above Hardcastle Crags and near the Pennine Way. The Packhorse Inn is not posh but is several hundred years old, caters for walkers, has roaring fires in winter and serves good hearty food at weekend lunchtimes. By road it is reached by passing a wonderfully name village called Slack Bottom (near Slack Top)

Hi
Yes, i thought you wre going to the Lakes too, but I am sure you will enjoy Yorkshire. You are staying in the more gritty part, rather than the pretty pretty areas, but it is often wild and very beautiful countryside.
Hebden Bridge is the final resting place of poet Sylvia Plath. She is buried in nearby Heptonstall, Her husband, the poet Ted Hughes was born a couple of miles away at Mythomroyd.
You are near Haworth, and a visit to the Parsonage Museum is recommended.
www.bronte.org.uk

We love bleak and gritty. I've done a lot of research on the area and the local sights and can't wait to be there.

But I'm afraid that &quot;Slack Bottom&quot; may describe the way I'm feeling after my first hike on the moors!

Is 'snarky' even a word?!

Re: Barcelona - what to do on a Monday when museums are closed:
Sagrada Familia and a tour of the Palau de la Musica Catalan, finish our gift shopping (in a supermarket) and do our airport check-in at an internet place for a 6:20 am departure).
Good luck.