The temperature's rising
10:24am Friday 2nd May 2008
I MUST admit it does make me laugh, the way we react when the weather warms up in this country.
As soon as the temperature passes 55 degrees the layers come off and people started showing off their sun-starved bodies.
In many cases, you'd wish they'd remain covered up. There are some things in life that should be left to the imagination.
But, if you've got it flaunt it, I say, and I spotted three young women who'd definitely taken the message on board last week.
Walking through Altrincham town centre, they looked like they were dressed for Tenerife rather than Trafford. Not that I minded of course - it brightened up an otherwise forgettable day.
I must admit I do love the sun and when I retire I would love to have enough cash in my pocket to buy a place abroad when I retire. That'd be great.
Imagine being able to escape the drizzle, the damp and the leaden skies that are a hallmark of our winters - and summers too!
A few years ago I was lucky enough to spend Christmas in Cyprus and when we flew out of Manchester there was snow pouring from the sky.
The following morning I was sat on my balcony in my shorts at 8.30am, and I actually had to move my chair to escape the warmth of the sun! Wonderful - but surreal at the same time.
And I'm sure that people who live or spend a large amount of time in sunnier climes are healthier too.
At certain times of the year in this country you feel like everyone around you is taking part in some sort of national sneezeathon, and the idea of wearing a surgical mask for the commute to work suddenly becomes rather appealing.
If I ever buy my place in the sun it'd probably be in Cyprus, because the weather is really good for most of the year and its a civilised kind of place.
When you finally enter your dotage, you want to be surrounded by one or two home comforts, don't you?