miserable pissy rain

Indeed. Rapid change of plans for today already in operation.

I see I was anticipating Spring back in March - we seem to have transitioned into it this year without many obvious signs in London.

it's really pleasant here. I've got the pool set up in the garden, laundry drying on the line. It will be pishing it down by 4 pm, though.

it's nice here also and the chief sign of spring -- not weather but green leaves everywhere on the trees -- came in two weeks back “like a lion” (as all the rural saying-hedz er say)

I have a tree in my garden and when it starts flowering the bees form a drone orchestra, that's the sound of summer for me. Also there is a chocolate mining bees nest somewhere underground where my garden meets the brick wall. They are very chilled bees but I can't take my bins out with only my socks on because I have had my feet stung by them more than a few times. I don't take it personally though.

These references to lions are very confusing... I'm aware of the saying:

March comes in like a lion, out like a lamb

yes