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View Full Version : Crap weather for February 2026



Barry
01-02-2026, 06:49
6C, feels colder and it's going to rain all day. :doh:

CageyH
01-02-2026, 07:13
It feels like it has not stopped raining here for a month.
The garden is starting to look like it has small ponds in it, due to poor drainage caused by clay sub soil.

J'en es marre.

Macca
01-02-2026, 08:26
Cold, grey, rain later.

hifi_dave
01-02-2026, 14:30
Rained through the night, still raining and thick, black clouds. Lights on indoors.

Barry
02-02-2026, 09:57
7C. It has been 'misting' with fine rain: the sort of rain that you don’t really notice, but will quickly get you wet if you don't use an umbrella or put your hood up if your jacket has one. Fortunately the misty rain has now finished, but the day will continue to be dull and cold.

rmcin626
02-02-2026, 10:32
5c and dry so far

Macca
02-02-2026, 10:46
6C dry and dull. Going to be a bit colder next few days then picks up at the weekend but there's no hope of any sunshine for at least the next week.

Alex_UK
02-02-2026, 11:24
Weather today is "meh" as the kids would say. Looks set to stay meh for the next fortnight.

Macca
02-02-2026, 11:54
Weather today is "meh" as the kids would say. Looks set to stay meh for the next fortnight.

Some years here it's 'meh' all the way to the end of June. Last year was a bit of an exception.

I think it was about this time last year where it started to be sunny almost every single day and that lasted right through the spring?

Macca
02-02-2026, 12:23
6C dry and dull. Going to be a bit colder next few days then picks up at the weekend but there's no hope of any sunshine for at least the next week.

No sooner do I write the above than the clouds part and the sun comes out!

hifi_dave
02-02-2026, 16:24
Lucky sod.

Just thick, black cloud here with a fine mist, not rain, but it makes you wet.

Barry
03-02-2026, 08:38
4C Rain expected in an hour's time and predicted to rain all day. I have to go out today, so that is just what I need! :(

Macca
03-02-2026, 08:58
Cold today only 2C and sleet to come later. Been blowing a gale overnight but that's dying off now.

Pigmy Pony
03-02-2026, 09:09
Had a lull in the windy weather yesterday, which was nice as I spent the day fitting a 6' x 9' window on the top floor of an old mill, sixty feet above the car park. If that job was today I would have been cancelling, as the wind is back with a vengeance. Feels colder too. A great day for stopping in.

hifi_dave
03-02-2026, 10:05
Very cold and so dark.

rmcin626
03-02-2026, 10:49
A grey 4c this morning

Macca
03-02-2026, 12:54
Went down to the shop. It's bitterly cold, that wind cuts right through. Everyone I saw was buttoned up tight.

Bleak too, like walking round inside a black and white film.

Pigmy Pony
03-02-2026, 15:52
Went down to the shop. It's bitterly cold, that wind cuts right through. Everyone I saw was buttoned up tight.

Bleak too, like walking round inside a black and white film.

Yeah, a good day for wearing one of those furry hats with the hammer and sickle on the front.

hifi_dave
03-02-2026, 15:52
I made the mistake of wearing some flimsy trousers when I went out this morning and I was bl**dy freezing.

I like the "black and white film analogy", it's sooooo dark and depressing. Supposed to be slightly better tomorrow but back to horrid on Thursday.

Macca
03-02-2026, 17:24
Was looking at last year's February weather thread and it seems that it was exactly the same weather. It was even colder then, so we should probably be thankful.

Bloke in the shop in a vest and shorts says to me 'Freezing isn't it? I shouldn't be out I've got the flu.' But okay, still dress like you're on the beach in Malaga because that's got to make sense.

Alex_UK
03-02-2026, 21:02
Bloke in the shop in a vest and shorts says to me 'Freezing isn't it? I shouldn't be out I've got the flu.' But okay, still dress like you're on the beach in Malaga because that's got to make sense.

I see them every time I go to a supermarket - it's cold enough in the supermarket, let alone outside! I don't get why people do it! :scratch:

We had weather today. Didn't take much notice as I was in the office and kept the blinds closed, but it was very moist when I drove home. And cold enough to light the fire when I got in.

Macca
03-02-2026, 21:29
I see them every time I go to a supermarket - it's cold enough in the supermarket, let alone outside! I don't get why people do it! :scratch:


I've seen them in the chilled aisle with their teeth chattering, standing there whilst their lady takes forever to decide which type of cheddar to get.

She's wearing one of those ankle length padded coats of course.

We never got that sleet that they promised. No precipitation at all. It would at least have broken the monotony.

Barry
03-02-2026, 21:55
Well it rained here - that horrible misty rain that doesn't look like rain but gets you wet just the same. It was cold as well: around 4oC all day, but there were still a few blokes wandering around wearing shorts and a cagoule!

Macca
03-02-2026, 22:18
Tomorrow now looks promising, rapid rise to 7C with fog in the morning and sunshine in the afternoon.

Supposed to be snowing here right now but it's actually doing nothing at all.

Macca
03-02-2026, 22:19
It did not get above freezing here today according to the met office.

Barry
04-02-2026, 08:30
6C and with a low probability of rain. Thursday and Friday however are forecast to be very wet all day. :(

Macca
04-02-2026, 09:07
3C but will warm up. The afternoon sunshine has now been cancelled according to the forecast but it is quite bright outside at the moment.

rmcin626
04-02-2026, 09:11
A damp 3c this morning

hifi_dave
04-02-2026, 09:40
Yesterday the BBC and Met forecasts promised Sun from 1000 this morning until mid afternoon but surprise, surprise it's cold and dark with the usual thick black clouds. Some rain in the air.

Pigmy Pony
04-02-2026, 10:21
Relentlessly gloomy this weather is, but the daffodils in the garden are already 6" tall shoots. Maybe they know something we don't. Well we can hope.

Macca
04-02-2026, 10:55
Long range forecast is for above average temperatures for second half of February and into March, the daffs have probably seen that and decided to go for it.

Macca
04-02-2026, 10:56
Obviously 'above average' for Feb and March still means cold, just not bitterly cold.

hifi_dave
04-02-2026, 11:18
Exactly so. Looking at the forecasts for the next couple of weeks show temps maxing out at 8c or so and constant rain.

Something strange has appeared in the sky. Some brightness has appeared, no Sun yet but not quite as dark as it was.

Macca
04-02-2026, 12:34
Nothing at all happening here - no sun, no rain, no wind - just uniform grey sky. Again. :rolleyes:

Tomorrow and Friday is rain all day and max 6C. Some sunshine predicted for Saturday, plus it will be a bit warmer.

Alex_UK
04-02-2026, 15:45
Blue sky and a bit of sunshine - just in time for it to start getting dark! 9c. BBC thinks it should be raining.

Macca
04-02-2026, 16:16
Blue sky here too although it waited for the sun to go below the yardarm before it cleared up.

Met office have now stuck in a 'light cloud' icon where they did have a heavy rain one.

hifi_dave
04-02-2026, 17:14
Well, we have had 4 hours of Sun. Really makes me feel better.

Set to be crap tomorrow.

I could do weather forecasts. Going to be a 50% chance of rain tomorrow, so it might rain and it might not..:rolleyes:

Macca
04-02-2026, 17:25
Tomorrow looks brutal here. 3C max which will probably be zero max, 35 mph winds and constant rain.

Let's hope they got all that wrong.

Barry
05-02-2026, 09:29
6C and raining. Not too hard at the moment, but expected to get worse as the day wears on.

Pigmy Pony
05-02-2026, 10:05
No rain here yet, but I'm sure it'll be here soon. Or maybe sleet/snow, it feels cold enough. And really windy (again) :(

rmcin626
05-02-2026, 10:06
A grey morning and 5c

Macca
05-02-2026, 11:30
was raining all night here but seems to be taking a break now. I've only been out to get the milk off the step.

Blowing a gale though and about 2C

Next week we are supposedly going to be into double figures so maybe this is winter's last gasp?

hifi_dave
05-02-2026, 12:27
According to the Met Office and BBC forecasts for this area, we have two weeks of rain and temps not rising above 8c. Perfect !!!

Macca
05-02-2026, 13:07
Went round to the Sainsbury to stock up.

Not that bad out, it's windy but not gale force and it's raining but only light rain. Wasn't desperately cold either.

Having said that, won't be going out again today!

Barry
06-02-2026, 08:59
8C and raining. :(

Macca
06-02-2026, 09:12
4C and not raining although forecast says it should be.

Been up since 0630 since I forgot to put the bin out last night and I forgot two weeks ago as well so it hadn't been emptied in a month.

Alex_UK
06-02-2026, 09:38
Ah, the first world problems of the bins - I always get confused around Christmas but have managed to get it right.

7c and a dreary mizzle here, no signs in the forecast of it improving any time soon.

Macca
06-02-2026, 09:59
Ah, the first world problems of the bins - I always get confused around Christmas but have managed to get it right.

.

This time of year it's okay since it's so cold but food waste sat in a bin for a month over the summer is at least a second world problem :)

Over Christmas half the city had no collection at all because they had 'fallen behind'. In other words, whoever is running the show is incompetent.

They used to be able to collect once a week, now it's once every other week and they can't even do that consistently.

Barry
06-02-2026, 10:42
Food waste is collected every week here. Recyclable waste collection alternates fortnightly: that is glass, tins, cardboard as well as the contents of the 'black bin' are collected one week, plastic and paper and garden waste the next.

In the winter months the garden waste doesn't need to be collected so frequently, and because so little now goes into the black bin, that is only put out when it gets full. Small electrical items can be taken down to the local library for recycling.

In general the system works well.

Macca
06-02-2026, 11:23
we have alternate recycling and general waste collection but there's really no need to collect my recycling every other week. Mine is only full about twice a year.

Although some of the houses seem to be able to fill the recycle bin to overflowing every fortnight, mostly packaging from all their Amazon deliveries.

They also seem to be able to fill their forecourts with discarded furniture and other junk too. Council won't take that unless you pay extra so it just sits there forever.

hifi_dave
06-02-2026, 17:27
Same ol' cold, dismal and rain all day. Couple of minutes ago it started to chuck it down. Luvverly.

Macca
06-02-2026, 18:09
At least it warms up a bit tomorrow. Rain and dull set to continue for the foreseeable though.

Macca
07-02-2026, 10:34
6C, dull, rain forecast. Does feel less cold this morning, supposed to warm up some more as the day goes on.

Pigmy Pony
07-02-2026, 10:42
Watery sunshine, no wind, a bit milder than of late. Still stopping in though, got a cold coming on - coughing like a good 'un and feeling rough as a badger's arse.

Macca
07-02-2026, 11:34
Rain started but only for half an hour and now it's just spitting. Did get a bit brighter and thought we might get some actual sunshine. But no.

Macca
07-02-2026, 15:48
Walked round to the market to get a new battery put in my watch and to get some cheap razors. Warmer outside than it is inside!

Found a new stall selling second hand CDs, quite a few still in the cellophane wrap. But they were all total crap.

Was drizzling but since I got back it has turned into that fine rain that soaks you through so timed that well.

Macca
08-02-2026, 09:23
8C and dull as usual. Rain later.

Pete The Cat
08-02-2026, 11:22
Two pairs of trousers have dried overnight after a couple of soggy walks yesterday.

Gentle sunshine this morning and 11 degrees. Off to see whether the river level has fallen.

Alex_UK
09-02-2026, 09:30
Yesterday was a nice day in the end, now we appear to be back to the grey, but not raining at the moment, and mild at 10C.

rmcin626
09-02-2026, 10:05
5c and dry at the moment

hifi_dave
09-02-2026, 10:36
Yesterday was a nice day in the end, now we appear to be back to the grey, but not raining at the moment, and mild at 10C.

Same here except there is some rain in the air making things damp without raindrops.

Macca
10-02-2026, 09:08
Dull, 6C, rain forecast.

rmcin626
10-02-2026, 10:01
5c and damp today

Macca
11-02-2026, 09:07
7C and dull, rain forecast. Temperature might make it to double figures later. Certainly feels a bit milder this morning.

Pigmy Pony
11-02-2026, 09:40
Same here, but the rain isn't letting up. For no particular reason I fancied having doorstop-sized bread toasted with butter and raspberry jam, so drove down to the Morrisons for a fresh-baked unsliced loaf.

Very nice it was too, the loaf was still warm from the oven. But dealing with the rain and the idiot school run drivers, I won't be doing that again any time soon.

Macca
11-02-2026, 09:48
Same here, but the rain isn't letting up. For no particular reason I fancied having doorstop-sized bread toasted with butter and raspberry jam, so drove down to the Morrisons for a fresh-baked unsliced loaf.

Very nice it was too, the loaf was still warm from the oven. .

was it the best thing since sliced bread?

rmcin626
11-02-2026, 10:10
Another wet day and 4c

Pigmy Pony
11-02-2026, 10:17
was it the best thing since sliced bread?

:D

Macca
12-02-2026, 20:26
Dull again but no rain and no wind so not too bad outside.

Cold spell coming up to last at least a few days. We have snow forecast here for early Sunday morning.

Alex_UK
12-02-2026, 21:12
We had light rain most of the day, just got home and still doing it now. Saturday looks like it may be dry, otherwise every day for the next 14 is light rain... It must be 40 days and 40 nights now, and the Ark is ready...

Does get cooler - but nothing too wintry predicted for us darn sarf. Half-term next week and have it booked off - doing a couple of nights in London Monday/Tuesday and being grockles for 3 days - Houses of Parliament booked for Tuesday which I am quite looking forward too.

Macca
12-02-2026, 21:50
Houses of Parliament will be interesting, never been in there.

I'm supposed to be in London in March. Years since I did any sightseeing there though.

Pigmy Pony
13-02-2026, 08:47
Snowing this morning, but it won't amount to anything, too wet. I can see the hills over at Rivington have got a bit of a dusting though.

Macca
13-02-2026, 08:52
Almost clear skies here but forecast is rain then sleet.

Supposed to be sunny tomorrow, that'll be a novelty.

rmcin626
13-02-2026, 09:45
Bright and clear 1c this morning

hifi_dave
13-02-2026, 11:18
Grey, dismal and cold.

Barry
13-02-2026, 16:43
Houses of Parliament will be interesting, never been in there.

I'm supposed to be in London in March. Years since I did any sightseeing there though.

When in March will you be in London Martin? If interested, we could perhaps meet up for a beer.

Macca
13-02-2026, 18:55
When in March will you be in London Martin? If interested, we could perhaps meet up for a beer.

One day between the 5th and 10th, not sure exactly when yet. Will let you know when I know.

Macca
14-02-2026, 09:24
We have sunshine here! Not off and on, watery sunshine but full blow Florida-style sunshine!

Shame the temperature is below freezing, but you can't have everything.

rmcin626
14-02-2026, 09:41
A bright frosty morning and 1c

Pete The Cat
14-02-2026, 09:51
Houses of Parliament booked for Tuesday which I am quite looking forward too.

I did a tour last year. You need to be mindful of the 'no photographs' signs in various areas. I got into trouble when absent-mindedly snapping an ornate ceiling when we were just hanging around and nothing in particular was happening. Funny thing is, it was in a very familiar part of the building that you see every day on TV when MPs are being interviewed.

Fascinating though.

Lawrence001
14-02-2026, 11:02
Do you mean the lobby? The rules will be strictly enforced to stop people taking photos of MPs and putting them online. Registered journalists (or their cameramen ) will be allowed obviously.

Lawrence001
14-02-2026, 11:05
We had light rain most of the day, just got home and still doing it now. Saturday looks like it may be dry, otherwise every day for the next 14 is light rain... It must be 40 days and 40 nights now, and the Ark is ready...

Does get cooler - but nothing too wintry predicted for us darn sarf. Half-term next week and have it booked off - doing a couple of nights in London Monday/Tuesday and being grockles for 3 days - Houses of Parliament booked for Tuesday which I am quite looking forward too.It will be in recess so a lot quieter than usual. Hopefully you prefer quiet to have a nice look around!

Pete The Cat
14-02-2026, 11:06
Do you mean the lobby? The rules will be strictly enforced to stop people taking photos of MPs and putting them online. Registered journalists (or their cameramen ) will be allowed obviously.

That'd be it then.

The 'no photograps' signs change from area to area so you have to remain mindful and not daydream like I did.

Pigmy Pony
14-02-2026, 11:12
We have sunshine here! Not off and on, watery sunshine but full blow Florida-style sunshine!

Shame the temperature is below freezing, but you can't have everything.

Same here, wall to wall sunshine. Only 3C right now, but there's some real heat in that sun. Best day of the year so far.

Macca
14-02-2026, 13:22
60 percent chance of snow from 2300 tonight, rising to 90 percent as the night goes on, so expecting a winter wonderland tomorrow morning.

Temp then goes up rapidly plus rain, so if it does happen it won't last.

Pigmy Pony
15-02-2026, 08:25
After that brief spell of chilly Spring sunshine, today it's back to business as usual. Grey, blowy and wet :(

Macca
15-02-2026, 08:30
90 percent chance of snow became zero, just rain instead. Not really that surprising.

Supposed to be some sunshine in this week ahead.

hifi_dave
15-02-2026, 10:12
Same here. The predicted snow hasn't happened but the rain is belting down.

Macca
15-02-2026, 11:20
Been round to the Sainsbury. Tipping down with rain and there's a strong, cold wind. My hands are like blocks of ice. Days don't really get any more dismal.

Still, we're past the half-way point in Feb, only 2 weeks of winter left.

rmcin626
15-02-2026, 12:24
5c and chucking it down

Alex_UK
15-02-2026, 12:34
Same here. The predicted snow hasn't happened but the rain is belting down.

It’s bypassed you and is falling here in clumps!

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260215/937187298de6c9b892c529cdebba7206.jpg

Macca
15-02-2026, 14:34
Chubby snow.

Barry
15-02-2026, 15:46
Its done nothing but rain here today. It has stopped raining now, leaving a dull overcast sky.

hifi_dave
15-02-2026, 16:00
It’s bypassed you and is falling here in clumps!

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260215/937187298de6c9b892c529cdebba7206.jpg

Chunks of snow and sleet started around 1200. It hasn't settled because the temp is around 6c but it's certainly been belting down. Stopped around 1500, replaced by heavy rain and darkness. Horrible.

Macca
15-02-2026, 17:43
Sky cleared here just as the sun was going down. Sunny showers is the forecast for tomorrow.

Barry
15-02-2026, 18:14
Spoke too soon - it's raining again.

Barry
16-02-2026, 09:08
6C, sunshine and showers

Pigmy Pony
16-02-2026, 09:15
Exactly the same here. I have a 'tip run' appointment booked for 11.30 today, so all the crap going into my van will be dripping wet :( Could do without that.

rmcin626
16-02-2026, 09:21
A bright 4c so far

Macca
16-02-2026, 10:26
4C and a bit dull. Rain is forecast as usual.

Heatwave forecast for next weekend - 12C!

Macca
16-02-2026, 16:05
once again the skies clear now the day is almost over.

rmcin626
18-02-2026, 10:02
Dry currently and 2c but very windy

Macca
18-02-2026, 10:37
Dull and cold 3C

Another 90 percent chance of snow forecast for 1900. We'll see if they got it right this time.

Still showing a rapid warm-up into double figures on Friday.

Barry
18-02-2026, 12:54
6C, overcast with rain expected this evening.

Macca
18-02-2026, 15:05
Went round the Sainsbury for supplies. Gale force wind, it was actually hard to make progress against it at times. And it's bitterly cold.

Saw two blokes wearing shorts, and a one-legged seagull.

Just had a massive plate of spagbol which didn't touch the sides but it has warmed me up.

Barry
18-02-2026, 16:38
I see blokes wearing shorts in all winds and weather - what's going on here?

hifi_dave
18-02-2026, 19:46
No idea but our Postie and most of the delivery men visiting here all wear shorts, whatever the weather.

Macca
18-02-2026, 20:56
No idea but our Postie and most of the delivery men visiting here all wear shorts, whatever the weather.

One of the blokes in shorts that I saw was a postie. He was with another postie but that one was wearing long trousers.

Barry
18-02-2026, 21:30
Our postie wears shorts, as do the drivers of delivery vans; but they are on the go all the time It's men walking about town in shorts that puzzle me - don't they feel the cold, or is it a macho thing?

Lawrence001
19-02-2026, 00:23
Our postie wears shorts, as do the drivers of delivery vans; but they are on the go all the time It's men walking about town in shorts that puzzle me - don't they feel the cold, or is it a macho thing?How do you know the men walking around town aren't on the go too?

Barry
19-02-2026, 07:41
How do you know the men walking around town aren't on the go too?

A simple matter of speed - the men in shorts I see in town saunter, whereas the posties and delivery drivers move quickly to fulfil their schedule.

I don't really care, but I would find it far too cold to wear shorts in winter.

Barry
19-02-2026, 07:42
5C, dull and overcast. Rained last night, and rain is expected later.

Macca
19-02-2026, 08:20
We never had that snow - again.

Last cold day today, then a whole week of double figure temperatures.

rmcin626
19-02-2026, 08:42
3c and cloudy so far today

Barry
20-02-2026, 07:15
4C and raining. :(

Pigmy Pony
20-02-2026, 07:18
Looking ahead on the BBC Weather, the rain's going to be warmer for the next two weeks.

Macca
20-02-2026, 07:41
Dull here and still cold.

Completed a year of retirement today!

Pigmy Pony
20-02-2026, 09:09
Dull here and still cold.

Completed a year of retirement today!

Well done you. Must have been tough at times, not getting to leave the house for work in darkness. So how are you liking it? Ever get bored? I miss being with workmates and customers sometimes, though I have a mate who regularly recruits me on his work. But he flies out to Vegas with his missus for ten days this morning, so I'll just have to fill my time with more tunes :)

Macca
20-02-2026, 09:25
Well done you. Must have been tough at times, not getting to leave the house for work in darkness. So how are you liking it? Ever get bored? I miss being with workmates and customers sometimes, though I have a mate who regularly recruits me on his work. But he flies out to Vegas with his missus for ten days this morning, so I'll just have to fill my time with more tunes :)

Not been bored but I do miss some aspects of working. Not the getting up in the dark and the cold though.

I could use ten days in Vegas but I was watching a video about it on Youtube the other day and I don't think it's how I remember it from 20 years ago anymore so I'd probably just find it depressing.

rmcin626
20-02-2026, 09:26
Very wet and windy 8c this morning.

Macca
20-02-2026, 10:12
6C and it's probably windy too but not been outside yet. Rain expected but temperature is climbing.

Alex_UK
20-02-2026, 10:53
Dull here and still cold.

Completed a year of retirement today!

My god, I cannot believe it has been a year! Congrats on the milestone! 9 years to go for me! [emoji30]

Weather much milder, showers expected off and on.

Macca
20-02-2026, 11:19
My god, I cannot believe it has been a year! Congrats on the milestone! 9 years to go for me! [emoji30]



Just think how fast that will go!

Just been round to the Sainsbury. Windy and it's spitting. They've now managed to fix all the broken self service tills, only taken them 2 months.

Macca
20-02-2026, 15:34
Some fairly heavy rain all afternoon but the sun is out now!

Pigmy Pony
20-02-2026, 16:43
6C and it's probably windy too but not been outside yet. Rain expected but temperature is climbing.

Temperature isn't climbing much round here. Currently 8C, with a stiff breeze. At least the sun's made an appearance, though it'll be setting in an hour.

Macca
20-02-2026, 17:36
Temperature isn't climbing much round here. Currently 8C, with a stiff breeze. At least the sun's made an appearance, though it'll be setting in an hour.

I think we just about got to 8C earlier but that's better than 3C max yesterday and 1C on Wednesday.

Could tell it was quite a bit warmer soon as I stepped out the door.

Barry
21-02-2026, 10:53
12C, cloudy and overcast. Rain possible early evening.

rmcin626
21-02-2026, 11:37
A grey and dull 9c so far

Macca
21-02-2026, 11:59
10C, rain later. Might be some sunshine tomorrow.

Pigmy Pony
21-02-2026, 12:10
BBC Weather says it's currently raining and 11C. But really it's sunny, and has been for the past hour. No doubt that'll change soon.

Macca
21-02-2026, 13:44
No sun here but the cloud cover, although universal, is quite light, so it isn't dull.

Only one week of winter left!

Pigmy Pony
21-02-2026, 15:50
Things were looking good for a while, with the heather near the front door getting an early visit from several bees. I thought they might struggle to get enough nectar from them, so I walked all the way to the fridge, got a blob of raspberry jam (fancy stuff, not your supermarket own-brand cheapie), and smeared it onto the heather.

It was totally ignored, and when I put my jammy finger next to one of them it just flew off. Ungrateful little shoites. Then the heavens opened and so I left them to ponder over their missed free lunch. That was 2 hours ago and it's still pissing down.

hifi_dave
21-02-2026, 17:02
But you can console yourself knowing that you are a good man.

I was pleased last year to have saved two Bumblies which were on their last legs, no strength even to crawl. Mixed up some sugar with water to make a paste and blobbed it right up to them. Couple of hours later they flew off. Very satisfying.

Macca
21-02-2026, 18:25
I didn't know we were meant to do this stuff.

Can they really get nectar out of raspberry jam?

Pigmy Pony
21-02-2026, 18:28
But you can console yourself knowing that you are a good man.

I was pleased last year to have saved two Bumblies which were on their last legs, no strength even to crawl. Mixed up some sugar with water to make a paste and blobbed it right up to them. Couple of hours later they flew off. Very satisfying.

Yes I did read somewhere that the sugary water thing works, I'll be giving it a go this spring :)

Pigmy Pony
21-02-2026, 18:35
I didn't know we were meant to do this stuff.

Can they really get nectar out of raspberry jam?

It's the sugar Martin, it just looked worth a try. They're not getting my lemon curd, that's all mine and it's just a teeny tiny jar. Dave's 'wet sugar' idea would be best. Thing is, bees (normally the queen I think) can sometimes be misled into leaving hibernation early if we get an unusually early warm spell, and it is still too soon for flowering plants.

Bees are cool, and worth the effort.

Macca
21-02-2026, 20:27
There's a clump of heather in my mother's garden and there's honey bees going to and from that from dawn until dusk.

The don't seem to show any interest in any of the other plants at all. So plant more heather I suppose.

Barry
21-02-2026, 21:28
Bees are essential to the fertilisation of plants. If bees die out, then so will all flowering plants and so will we.

Pigmy Pony
22-02-2026, 00:28
Yes, they're pretty essential. But even without that they have a right to live. Though I draw the line with wasps, you just can't reason with them, the little shits.

rmcin626
22-02-2026, 08:22
7c and bright so far

Barry
22-02-2026, 08:53
12C, with rain for most of the morning up until to the early afternoon.

Macca
22-02-2026, 09:15
9C. sun has just come out. Cannot see from where I'm sat whether he has his hat on or not.

Pigmy Pony
22-02-2026, 09:24
Blue skies and sunny right now, 10C. But there will be rain soon.

hifi_dave
22-02-2026, 11:32
The Sun appeared about an hour ago and it's around 12c..:carrot:

Macca
22-02-2026, 11:41
Went round the shop, ran into a mate I've not seen in 7 years.

Windy but otherwise lovely morning, blazing sunshine. First day that it has really felt like spring is on the way.

Alex_UK
22-02-2026, 12:22
Went round the shop, ran into a mate I've not seen in 7 years.

Windy but otherwise lovely morning, blazing sunshine. First day that it has really felt like spring is on the way.

Yes, nice here too, just back from long dog walk (the walk was long, not walking a long dog) and definitely a whiff of spring in the air. Still very muddy though, after all the rain.

Barry
23-02-2026, 06:39
I don't know what happened with the weather forecast yesterday. It was supposed to rain, but instead it turned out to be a beautiful sunny day.

Today it is 8C, dry at the moment but rain is expected (54%) around tea time. We shall see.

Macca
23-02-2026, 08:28
Dry here now, rain this afternoon

Alex_UK
23-02-2026, 09:48
Dry here now, rain this afternoon

Similar forecast here too, currently 12c, 15c for Wednesday apparently.

Macca
23-02-2026, 09:54
Sun is out here now. Looks like it will be mild all week, thankfully.

rmcin626
23-02-2026, 10:05
A bit of cloud about and 8c

hifi_dave
23-02-2026, 16:26
12c today but the wind made it feel a lot colder and the clouds are depressing. Started to rain heavily about an hour ago.

rmcin626
24-02-2026, 07:23
After a wet night 8c and dry

Barry
24-02-2026, 10:07
13C and cloudy.

Macca
24-02-2026, 11:05
About the same here.

hifi_dave
24-02-2026, 12:37
13c and sunny but loadsa clouds so it might not last.

Barry
24-02-2026, 13:04
At the moment there is brilliant sunshine, we are going out to make the most of it. :)

hifi_dave
24-02-2026, 15:48
Well, it's been sunny all day with a cold wind. Quite pleasant. Supposed to be similar tomorrow.

Macca
24-02-2026, 16:37
Sun has been out here last hour or so but on its way down now.

hifi_dave
24-02-2026, 17:14
That's life.

Barry
24-02-2026, 18:32
The sun drew us out today. We enjoyed a pub lunch, and afterwards went for a walk out of the village and into the countryside and back again. :)

Barry
25-02-2026, 08:43
9C and a bit misty. Expected to be another rain free day today. At last!

rmcin626
25-02-2026, 09:11
9c and very wet here

Macca
25-02-2026, 10:00
Sun is in and out here, 8C.

Supposedly will get up to 14C later.

hifi_dave
25-02-2026, 16:42
Lovely day, around 16 - 18c and wall to wall sunshine. Working in the garden in just a T-shirt.

Macca
25-02-2026, 22:44
Lovely day, around 16 - 18c and wall to wall sunshine. Working in the garden in just a T-shirt.

Lucky!

Was okay here, bit of warmth from the sun through the clouds but never got properly sunny. Plus it was windy, but it did feel like a spring day.

Alex_UK
25-02-2026, 23:02
Car showed 19c at about 2pm! A lovely day overall, finally got to wear a new pair of leather soled shoes I bought at Christmas but have been reluctant to get ruined with all the wetness. Of course they gave me a blister on my heal.

Pigmy Pony
26-02-2026, 09:39
Car showed 19c at about 2pm! A lovely day overall, finally got to wear a new pair of leather soled shoes I bought at Christmas but have been reluctant to get ruined with all the wetness. Of course they gave me a blister on my heal.

Never mind Alex, I'm sure it will heel quickly :ner: 19C is mad temperature for February, nothing like that oop north, though the daffodils in my garden are already flowering, that's normally a March thing.

Macca
26-02-2026, 09:56
Got to 13c here yesterday. Not bad for February, it often doesn't manage better than that in June.

Dull this morning, not raining yet but suspect it will.

Pigmy Pony
26-02-2026, 10:43
Raining here, and set to continue all day. Becoming heavy this afternoon.

Still, there's nowhere I need to be today, so my busy schedule will be 1. Play my Crusaders CD which arrived yesterday, and some other tunes, 2. Listen to some of Craig Charles on 6 Music, then 3. Watch "Tombstone" on Disney+. Somewhere in the middle of that I'll have to sort out me own dinner (chicken biryani, left over from yesterday). Busy, busy day.

Macca
26-02-2026, 11:45
Still not raining here but very dull. Thought I might get wet on my walk but no.

Did see some daffodils in flower and a cat sat patiently at the side of the road waiting to cross.

Barry
26-02-2026, 11:48
The daffodils and crocuses have been out here for the last couple of weeks. Spring is on it's way! :)

Pigmy Pony
26-02-2026, 12:32
Still not raining here but very dull. Thought I might get wet on my walk but no.

Did see some daffodils in flower and a cat sat patiently at the side of the road waiting to cross.

Might have been a guide cat in training.

Macca
26-02-2026, 12:54
The daffodils and crocuses have been out here for the last couple of weeks. Spring is on it's way! :)

Really? I suppose it's a few degrees warmer down there on average. I only saw one clump in flower and they were in a bit of a dip, which might help. saw lots that have not flowered yet.

It is mild for the time of year but the wind is still cold, had to zip my jacket right the way up. Not worn my proper coat out even once this winter though.

hifi_dave
26-02-2026, 15:30
Yes we have some Daffodils in bloom.

Yesterday was a beautiful warm day so today is a shock. Not sure what the temp is but the strong wind is most unpleasant and the usual thick, dark clouds are oppressive. Not long now for the rain to come.

Barry
26-02-2026, 20:59
We're in London at the moment, and the weather has been a change from yesterday. It has been cold, overcast, windy with rain in the air. Tomorrow it's going to rain all day, so I will likely spend most of the day visiting art galleries or the Science Museum.

Barry
27-02-2026, 09:58
12C with rain expected in an hour's time. :doh:

Macca
27-02-2026, 11:31
Not raining at the moment but forecast is for 20 hours continual rain starting soon.

9C right now, probably not going to get any warmer today but it's within the acceptable range.

Pigmy Pony
27-02-2026, 12:33
Pretty much the same here. But there's nowhere I need to be until Monday, and that's just indoor work in the roughest part of Sunny Blackpool. With my mate who'll be one day past his return from Vegas, so it'll be worse for him.

Alex_UK
27-02-2026, 12:38
Yesterday I was at the O2 in Greenwich (we had a mean time) for the Raye concert - it was chillier than Wednesday, but stayed dry until the evening. Today is grey and overcast again, rain predicted but not arrived yet. 12c but feels colder, though that could be because I am tired after getting back at 2.30am and getting up at 7.00am - I'm too old for this gig malarky!

Macca
27-02-2026, 13:28
Yesterday I was at the O2 in Greenwich (we had a mean time) for the Raye concert -!

Was it any good? She does seem able to put on a proper show.

I had a walk down to the charity shop and got a few cds, nothing especially remarkable though. It was spitting but quite mild. Feels warmer than the 9C they're claiming.

Alex_UK
27-02-2026, 13:51
Was it any good? She does seem able to put on a proper show.

Yes, it was really good. She has a full supporting cast of brass section, strings and percussionist as well as the usual band. Daughter made me queue from 3pm (Raye came on at 8.30pm) so that we could get up to the front (we were in the standing section) and we were only a couple of rows back from the front. I was amazed that there was no pushing or shoving - everyone maintained their own space, very civilised, not like when I used to go to stadiums back in the 80's/90's!

Main criticism was the price of the "merch" (as the kids call it) - T-shirt £50 (of course she couldn't choose between two designs...) and a "Hoodie" (that without the printing would be a fiver at the market) was £100! Still, a great night out and she loved it, so making great memories, too, can't put a price on that (I suppose!)

Alex_UK
27-02-2026, 13:53
This shows how close we were.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260227/c3e24be673737f090e11cf70aec55f79.jpg

Alex_UK
27-02-2026, 13:53
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260227/2a20494b2fcee08ec6427cd69ea4c487.jpg

Pigmy Pony
27-02-2026, 14:53
Yep, that's pretty close, I'm surprised she didn't get you to come up onstage for a duet. "We have a special guest in the audience, it's Kylie's younger brother! Alex, get yourself up here!" :)

Close up she doesn't look too much like a better-fed Amy Winehouse. Though there have been comparisons.

Barry
27-02-2026, 18:20
I was completely wrong with the weather. Today has been completely dry, so I visited the London Science Museum for the first time in probably 30 years.

I was disappointed: there were much less 'hands on' things to play with, despite a large section laid out to inspire youngsters to become engineers, doctors, or scientists. The Welcome Institute collection has a home there, and I found the history of medicine fascinating, if a little gruesome. Another thing I disliked was the general low level of lighting, which made reading the descriptions difficult.
Maybe I will revisit the museum in five years time; hoping to see some exhibits of audio storage and replay equipment - perhaps I should donate some of the items in my collection! :lol:

Macca
27-02-2026, 20:04
I think I was last there in 1975 although I don't recall any of the science museum exhibits, only the blue whale skeleton in the Natural History museum.

Went with my father on the train, no idea why, missed a day of school. I think he must have had some business to do down there but I can't recall what that was or even guess. I remember going on the underground and also him walking so fast I could barely keep up.

Alex_UK
27-02-2026, 20:34
We spent most of our time last week looking at the medical exhibits, as my daughter intends to go into medicine. I agree, that some of the stuff is quite gruesome!

I think the low level of lighting is common in museums these days - I am assuming it is to help preserve the artifacts, but that is just a guess.

Alex_UK
27-02-2026, 20:37
The biggest surprise for me was seeing Big Ben now fully restored - not sure how long it took, but for as long as I can remember on previous visits it was covered up being worked on, and now complete looks amazing.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260227/3ae3c70624eaa8ef0758d9ab7031852b.jpg

Pigmy Pony
27-02-2026, 21:20
I think I was last there in 1975 although I don't recall any of the science museum exhibits, only the blue whale skeleton in the Natural History museum.

Went with my father on the train, no idea why, missed a day of school. I think he must have had some business to do down there but I can't recall what that was or even guess. I remember going on the underground and also him walking so fast I could barely keep up.

Well that was in the olden days - I've seen film footage from back then, everybody walked fast.

Macca
28-02-2026, 10:56
Last day of winter!

And it's dull, dull, dull with rain expected. Chilly too, only 6C

Might get a bit of sun this afternoon.

Barry
28-02-2026, 11:32
It's going to be rainy all day as well as tomorrow. A weekend washout!

Pigmy Pony
28-02-2026, 12:31
Last day of winter!

And it's dull, dull, dull with rain expected. Chilly too, only 6C

Might get a bit of sun this afternoon.

The definition of 'spring' you subscribe to (meteorological spring) is that preferred by meteorologists, as the fixed dates (1st of March, June, September, December) enable them to accurately track and document weather year on year.

Whereas the start of 'astrological' spring relates to the spring equinox, where the day and night are of the same length, and this can vary slightly due to the tilt of the earth. This year it's 20th March.

I've always gone with astrological spring, but I think I'll switch to meteorological, to save me 3 more weeks of winter misery, then go back to astrological in September, to keep the summer of a bit longer :)

Macca
28-02-2026, 13:32
Think you've cracked it there :)

Macca
28-02-2026, 13:37
I think the meteorological makes more sense.

4 seasons, 12 months, 3 months per season.

If you think about it, November being the last month of autumn makes sense as that's when it goes from wet and miserable to wet, miserable and cold.

End of February makes sense for end of winter as plants start flowering, buds come on trees and we're usually out of the snow and ice period then.

September makes sense for start of autumn as the leaves start turning brown and you start noticing the nights are drawing in.

Summer's the only dodgy one as it can sometimes be warm from May and through to end of September - or we might only get three or four properly warm days in the whole period.

rmcin626
28-02-2026, 14:01
5c and bright at the moment

Pigmy Pony
28-02-2026, 15:29
I think the meteorological makes more sense.

4 seasons, 12 months, 3 months per season.

If you think about it, November being the last month of autumn makes sense as that's when it goes from wet and miserable to wet, miserable and cold.

End of February makes sense for end of winter as plants start flowering, buds come on trees and we're usually out of the snow and ice period then.

September makes sense for start of autumn as the leaves start turning brown and you start noticing the nights are drawing in.

Summer's the only dodgy one as it can sometimes be warm from May and through to end of September - or we might only get three or four properly warm days in the whole period.

Yep you've convinced me, meteorological from now on - even makes more sense with midsummer's day, which will no longer be at the beginning of summer.

hifi_dave
28-02-2026, 17:01
Little drop of rain this morning but basically dry, grey and not too cold. Managed a couple of hours working in the garden this afternoon.

Barry
28-02-2026, 21:28
Today hasn't been too bad, but it's going to rain for most of tomorrow.

Pigmy Pony
01-03-2026, 08:07
Spring is off to a sunny start :) Just four more weeks and the clocks will be going forward. That makes a big difference. And the days will lengthen at an increasing rate, peaking on 20th March. And daylight hours for us oop north will get longer than for those darn sarf :ner:

Macca
01-03-2026, 10:25
Yes it's sunny here too although not been out yet.

We get an extra 10 minutes daylight in the evenings over the next week and all. Soon be like living in a normal country.

rmcin626
01-03-2026, 11:51
8c and very wet