you think you know what rain is because you're british?

well, having spent a significant amount of time in England I thought I had seen pretty much every facet of rain there is - I was wrong! it is the rainy season and so far this has meant short but intense showers for 15-30 minutes and then sunshine again. for the last couple of hours it has been raining sheets - absolute sheets - the world is grey but still lush and in fact the rain makes the colours of the trees and flowers even more vibrant than they already are.

and of course when the rain comes down like this, everything else comes to a standstill. normally it's the tea break at 10am and we all walk the 50 yards across the yard to the coffee room but in this weather this would equal a 20 minute shower. I was kind of looking forward to that break - even if it's only an excuse to leave my desk for 10 minutes (the 'coffee' (crap nescafe with nido full cream powder milk) is not worth the bother; having said that I am starting to get used to it already - oh dear!) - anyway, even I'm not that cool and have opted to stay at my desk and muck about on facebook instead when the door opens and the cleaning lady comes in with a mug and some coffee granules - 'I'm just getting some water' she says - ace! I feel like a right princess - being served coffee at my desk due to adverse weather conditions - beat that!
in fact it's the same lady who came round last week with a tray full of swiss chocolates, lighting up everyone's afternoon - call me a snob - but I could get used to this!