Just walking in the rain.

[Kitosdad]

The dark clouds raced across the sky like the chariots of Roman times.
The wind propelled them along with gusto.
This was the beginning of the storm that the weather forecasters has foretold last week.

The dogs ran with ears flattened against the head-on wind, whilst I sheltered behind the protection of a big old sycamore tree, vainly trying to light my much-needed ciggie.
The wind was not only fierce, for it carried with it almost Winter temperatures that chilled every exposed part on one's body.

Nature then decided to further test everyone's mettle by sending the rain. It began to fall in heavy drops which tried to overcome the resistance of my long Barbour coat.
Luckily my coat proved more than a match against its efforts.

As the rain increased in intensity little Rusty was feeling the brunt of its insistence. His little protector was soon sodden and in spite of his activities he was continually shaking himself in an effort to remain dry.

We headed back home, sometimes being blown quickly along the trail, but on rounding a bend I was almost blown sideways into a ditch.
Again the trail turned and now I had to lean forward and work hard to make any progress against the now head-on wind.

By now the rain was torrential, and the small brook that runs parallel to the trail was already showing signs of rapidly filling.
The nearby trees, still bereft of any real Spring growth, were whistling and groaning in tune with the blustery wind.

There was not a soul in sight, and I had to be alert for any sign of falling timber, for so many of these huge trees are in the first stages of decay. Every storm sees more of them falling.
Luckily nature conservation has a high priority here in Essen, so fallen trees are speedily removed and new saplings planted to take their places.

Eventually the main road hove into view and the rainwater was racing down the gutters on each side of the street.
It made a swirling eddy at each drain it encountered, proving that the drains were racing seaward at full-bore.

As we neared home it began to lighten, and breaks in the clouds permitted momentary glimpses of the blue skies overhead.
Hopefully it will cease soon and I can get on with my mountain of decorating that lies ahead.

Please don't be misled into thinking that I am having a good time resting. There is lots of work waiting for me to begin.
Believe me, I am looking forward to sitting at the keyboard with my cuppa' and ciggie once again.
My immediate task is to get these two rain-sodden dogs dried and fed. Then, and only then, will I be able to relax for a while before starting the real work.

'Bye for now, Kitos.
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Keep it simple ... Keep it interesting.