please empty your brain below
It's already rained and it's not even 1am yet...

darryl853 | Homepage | 15.07.09 - 1:28 a.m. | #

Thanks for reminding me of one of the most beautiful Billy Bragg songs too...

EskimoPie | 15.07.09 - 9:13 a.m. | #

I suspect a seriously dodgy use of mathematics and statistics of the standard reminiscent of the Professor Roy Meadow/Sally Clark case. Whether or not it will rain on a certain day is probably not independant of whether it rained on the previous day.

However given that to the best of our knowledge it has never rained consecutively for 40 days in this country in modern times (at least in London) I think we can safely say it is pretty unlikely.

Pedantic of Purley | 15.07.09 - 9:41 a.m. | #

As long as it rains on the third session on the final day of the Lord's Test I really don't mind.

My nerves couldn't cope with another test match like that at Cardiff last week.

adaptorplug | 15.07.09 - 9:45 a.m. | #

Hi DG

Are you hoping for a government grant? After all, all the boxes are ticked...

Richard | Homepage | 15.07.09 - 9:58 a.m. | #

Sorry old chap, but that other famous resident of Winchester Cathedral beat you to it! Apparently it was the last thing she wrote:

Venta
by Jane Austen

When Winchester races first took their beginning
It is said the good people forgot their old Saint
Not applying at all for the leave of St. Swithin
And that William of Wykham's approval was faint.

The races however were fix'd and determined
The company met & the weather was charming
The Lords & the Ladies were sattin'd & ermin'd
And nobody saw any future alarming.

But when the old Saint was inform'd of these doings
He made but one spring from his shrine to the roof
Of the Palace which now lies so sadly in ruins
And thus he address'd them all standing aloof.

Oh subject rebellious, Oh Venta depraved!
When once we are buried you think we are dead
But behold me Immortal. — By vice you're enslaved
You have sinn'd and must suffer. — Then further he said

These races & revels & dissolute measures
With which you're debasing a neighbourly Plain
Let them stand — you shall meet with a curse in your pleasures
Set off for your course, I'll pursue with my rain.

Ye cannot but know my command in July.
Henceforward I'll triumph in shewing my powers,
Shift your race as you will it shall never be dry
The curse upon Venta is July in showers.

Vulpine | 15.07.09 - 10:36 a.m. | #

"It's never going to happen."

Felt like it did last year...

Chaz | Homepage | 15.07.09 - 11:44 a.m. | #

I would say that the chances of it raining on any one particular day weren't 95\\% but 50\\% - i.e. it might rain, and then again it might not.

Exit, Pursued by a Bear | Homepage | 15.07.09 - 12:37 p.m. | #

Oooh... checklists

Doctor Oddverse | Homepage | 15.07.09 - 1:01 p.m. | #

I am sure that, as a child, I was told that the plague of rain led to Swithun's body being moved back to an outdoor grave. I was quite shocked to discover later that his shrine was still in the Cathedral.

Oh - and I've never seen him called an archbishop before. I don't think Winchester ever had an archbishop.

Andrew M | 15.07.09 - 4:15 p.m. | #

quick update...

• Dodgy use of statistics? Hell yes, Professor Roy Meadow would be proud.

• Archbishop or bishop? Yes, you're right, only the latter.

• It's raining again.

diamond geezer | Homepage | 15.07.09 - 6:06 p.m. | #

Gregorian or Julian? And what if it rains a bit today, which it did. Does it rain a bit for the next 40 days?

Debster | Homepage | 15.07.09 - 9:17 p.m. | #











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