There is almost only flat land between my house and the North sea. Only a few trees and the occasional farmhouse or small village between us and the sea, until you come right to the sea front with its taller hotels. This lack of obstructions  makes for strong winds bringing with them freezing weather. Yet my weather cock, seen clearly from the kitchen window , is pointing clearly to indicate  softer westerlies.  One of these days, but not today, I must climb up and see what is jamming it, although at least it promises better weather to come. It is gloomy as well. There is a sundial in the garden, a very accurate one, but it isn’t not much use today when there is complete cloud cover.  Britain is a place of ever changing weather so it is a frequent subject of conversation. As I walk to the next village I am just as likely to greet someone with ‘Lovely day ‘ or ‘Isn’t it cold’ as ‘Hello’ or ‘Good morning’. It is an ice breaker, a start to a conversation, or just something to say as we pass each other on the road.