An English summer's day?

It's a dreary Saturday. The rain is "really chucking it down" (or "pissing it down," to use an even less elegant English phrase) and it's cold, wet and grey. As my housemate Jules put it when she ran out to the corner shop this morning for bacon, fruit and crumpets:

"What an absolutely grotty day!"

Is this an English summer? We've had a few warm days in the last few weeks. When I saw warm, I mean it's been warm enough to wear shorts for a few hours in the afternoon, if one is fortunate enough to be in full sun. The rest of the time it's generally not too bad, just rather nondescript. "Pleasantish" is how I would describe the mix of clouds and sun and not-too-hot, not-too-cold weather.

Yet although the weather isn't brilliant today, I am enjoying the delights of an English summer. Not only do I spend every minute possible working out in the lovely garden (yard) of the house where I'm staying, I've also been bombarded by barbecues.

Everyone is having a barbecue. Whenever someone plans a party--any party, whatsoever, it's a barbecue! So far this month I've been to three barbecues, with plans to attend three more (and I'm hosting two of them). I'm not quite sure why they're always called barbecues. Why not just parties? But I think the idea is that summer is so fleeting here in Nottingham, and truly ideal barbecue weather is so rare, that if everyone hosts barbecues pretty much nonstop throughout the summer, a few of them might actually land on gorgeous days. So far I've attended one barbecue in the pouring rain and two in so-so cloudy weather. I'm invited to one tomorrow afternoon after church, so hopefully the sun will be back out by then!

I must admit, however, that I'm still having a blast in England, despite the weather (and the rather sorry progress of my tomato plants, which I planted in the ground a few weeks ago but probably would've been better off staying in the greenhouse). Last night I had loads of fun chatting and dancing at a cocktail party hosted by the young adult ministry here at the church. I was particularly amused by the non-alcoholic drink "side hug on the beach," (although there were plenty of alcohol-laden drinks available, as well). Tonight a few friends have invited me out clubbing. "Clubbing" is another word I'm not very familiar with, at least not since I studied in Spain during fall 1999. However, I do adore dancing, and these friends have assured me we're going to a club that's hosting a special funk and soul night.