**UPDATED SUNDAY MARCH 11TH 2012**

To the good folk who read ( and contribute ) to this topic I apologise for my recent lack of input, and hope to be getting back up to speed in the not too distant future.

For now though it certainly feels as though Spring has arrived in London and The South East, with high pressure taking charge, temperatures reaching pleasant levels and our trees and shrubs showing the first signs of growth following their winter rest. I love this time of year !!

It looks as though we will maintain this settled pattern for most of the coming week, with temperatures perhaps reaching 17-19c ( 63-66f ). Cloud amounts during this time will vary with the best of any sunshine being in the east of the region, and no sign of any much needed rain for the next 4 or 5 days at least.

There are signs of a slight change for next weekend, but should that occur it looks to be a temporary feature, with high pressure again building over the UK by next Monday ( 19th ).

In the meantime enjoy the rest of the weekend, and thank you as always for reading and posting. Moley

When's the hosepipe ban due to kick in ?

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Lets be careful out there !

Good question Kremm and personally I think its more than likely to happen in our region unless there is a dramatic ( and as yet unforeseen ) change in the weather pattern this Spring. If this April ends up being anything like last years record breaking April we could be in trouble.

The shortsighted lack of forward thinking and planning by our politicians in this country never ceases to amaze me. As long ago as the early 1970's there was a call for, and a need for, a national grid of water distribution. The UK as a whole gets plenty of rainfall, it just falls in the 'wrong' places. The most densely populated region of the UK, London and The South East is historically proven to be the 2nd driest region, beaten only by East Anglia.

The severe summer of 1976 proved beyond doubt the need for a national grid. The politicians responded by abandoning any hopes of a plan and privatised the water companies instead. Ironically one of the regions which receives ample rainfall ( The South West ), also have some of the highest water charges in the entire country.

I've been lucky enough to travel quite a bit in the past, and my travels have taken me to some very arid regions....California and Arizona to name but two, yet they seem to cope very well with a fraction of the rainfall we get.

Several of the weather websites Im a member of are keeping a close eye on the water supply situation, so its something I will try and keep updated as we head through Spring and into Summer. Could be interesting as we approach The Olympics !!

Thanks for posting. Moley

Just one example in our region.

http://www.southeastwater.co.uk/pls/ape ... ardingly:0

Today ( or is that tomorrow ? ) according to this pearl of wisdom from the Daily Fail.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... weeks.html

I knew I should have washed the car yesterday

Have to see if any if these waterless spray washes are any good

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Lets be careful out there !

Waterless Sprays ?

Do they use those dehydrated water tablets where you just add H2O ?

Hose ban commences on the 5th April

Those waterless sprays are advertised on the shopping channels (Greased Lightning) and I've a spray bottle of Mantis in the garage.

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Lets be careful out there !

Yep.....apparently so :

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17340844

An Epic Fail regarding temperatures today ( Tuesday ) in London and the South East.

Sunday March 11th : Northolt 17.4c

Monday March 12th : Herstmonceaux ( Sussex ) : 18.1c

Tuesday March 13th : Northolt 8.9c

The bulk of our region is now under a mass of grey cloudy murk. The infamous 'dirty high'. The high pressure is right above us, but its trapped a layer of low cloud and mist right where we don't really want it. In the very limited areas where the cloud has lifted the temperature has responded well, reaching 16-17c in some places this afternoon, but those spots are few and far between.

Its no too good for star gazing either, but for anyone who has clear skies tonight, or in the next few days, its worth looking out for the conjunction of some major planets in the early night sky :

http://www.theweek.co.uk/health-science ... -and-venus

Moley