Bumbershoot

I don’t mind the rain in Australia, because it is rarely accompanied with a biting wind.  We’ve had a very wet Summer and it looks set to continue.  We have had a few sunny days, but they have been extremely humid due to the amount of moisture in the ground.

Monday was a good example of such a day.  31 degree in the city with 92% humidity.  It was like wading through soup, if wading through soup meant it would be difficult to breath, your skin would feel clammy and you smells really bad at the end of the day.

Tuesday brought with it, a shift in the winds, from North Westerly’s to south easterly, bringing a cool change.  It’s been less than 20 degree for the last couple of days, with persistent rain, but it isn’t, by any means cold.

When it not cold, I try to avoid wearing a coat.  It makes me feel hot.  So to avoid getting wet I  stick close to building and under canopies where I can.  Unfortunately, others of the human species do not share my desire to have one less thing to carry.

And the umbrellas come out in force.

All shapes, sizes, colours and states of repair.

Today, I saw a woman walking along under two thirds of a brolly.  It was basically three metal spikes and a tiny piece of fabric clinging for dear life to the remaining three disguised spikes.  It couldn’t have just happened, because it isn’t windy and the rain is coming down straight.  How long had it been getting to this stage.  Surely a few well place stitches and it would be as good as new?

One woman of extremely small stature had an umbrella as wide as she was tall.  She was wielding it like a weapon.  She had it resting on her left shoulder and as she walked the pedestrians parted like the Red Sea.  They had no choice.  At one point she was waiting for the traffic lights to change, she turned to look at the oncoming cars, as she turned (not just her head) the massive awning swung with her and pushed another lady into the road from behind.  It just swept her up.  The owner was completely oblivious.

I’m not a huge fan of umbrellas.  When they were small fashion accessories, called parasols, that a lady took to picnics in the park and to the races to protect their delicate English skin from the sun and the inappropriate advances of gentleman.  They had an elegance and grace about them.  There were used when stationery, when leisurely walking with a suitor they would be space around, Ladies never hurry anywhere.

Now, in an age where people rarely give consideration to their fellow man or woman and are nearly always in a rush, they are yet another peril to watch out for.