Nearby is Lightwater Valley Theme Park where there are a number of rides  for all the family as well as a large shopping village - so on cold wet days you can go shopping and pick up a waterproof jacket or warm polar fleece from the Outdoor Scene concession.  Lots of visitors come without any suitable rainwear so if there is a shower they can easily purchase some waterproof jackets and waterproof trousers.  There are also fleeces and bodywarmers available  if you would rather wear layers.  It's still wet and cold and there has even been hail and a flurry of snow!  We never dreamed that that we would be selling so much rainwear and outdoor wear in May - and people who would normally wait until the autumn before buying a new country jacket are doing so early.  Children's rainwear is in big demand as they are going away on activity breaks so need waterproof rainsets, and music lovers are getting ready to brave the elements at Festivals where it always seems to rain and they need to have their wellington boots and waterproof packable jackets.  Luckily we still have some in stock but it won't be long before we run out of stock! 

It still continues to rain and customers are continuing to buy a variety of outdoor clothing - waterproof jackets, wax jackets, country jackets and increased sales of fleece jackets  and bodywarmers.  We had an open garden in Langham yesterday, and in spite of the weather being dry, it was at times quite cold, so I was glad of my fleece as I was sitting down all the while.  I had brought my waterproof jacket just in case, but didn't need it - althought I needed another fleece jacket at one point.  Ben joined me later and was sensibly wearing an Outdoor Scene gilet  over his fleece for additional warmth.  There were lots of lovely cakes to eat and there were plants for sale - usually I bring along some to sell but having fallen I didn't manage to get into my garden in order to contribute this year.

Our concessions are equally busy up and down the country, and it seems that people are now having to buy rainwear just when they thought they didn't need to and that summer was just around the corner!  The week of very hot sunshine we had just before Easter confused us all!  I was about to give some outdoor clothing away to the charity shop, but have decidede to hold onto a few things for a while  longer...so much for changing over to lightweight clothing.  My lightweight packable rain jacket, however, has proved to be very useful this week when I have been in and out of the car a lot.  There is no sign of this weather improving and I have heard from several people that it will continue until the end of May.  This means that gardeners like me can't get out to plant and move things that need to be moved!  When will it all end!!!! 

Motorhoming seems to be a lifestyle choicem, and if you have wanderlust, it is an attractive way to travel.  You have to be very organised however, and make the maximum use of space and permitted weight allowance.  The trick is to keep everything as lightweight as possible from crockery, utensils, food and clothing, so for summer travelling, lightweight packable rain jackets and micro fleeces would be perfect. You could also have a waterproof fleece for more flexibilty and versatility, as well as waterproof trousers - an essential piece of outdoor clothing for the UK or abroad.  This lifestyle really appeals to me but I think I might miss having more space. Perhaps 2-3 months travelling would be good, then return home to catch up on life, then change clothing for the next trip! There is such a selection of  outdoor clothing that is available thse days, so even the really warm, technical clothing can be lightweight and not take up much room.

waterproof jackets and waterproof trousers. I  really hope the sun will shine for a little white tomorrow, and the guests don't have to wear rainwear over their best frocks.  I'm going to be escaping for the evening, as the music will go on until 1am, and the celebrations no doubt will continue until breakfast...

I'm going to stay with my brother in Bedfordshire, and I am going to bring him one of our fleeces as a present.  He and his girlfriend are keen walkers and he bought Hayley a red  Outdoor Scene 3in1 waterproof jacket for Christmas which is perfect for their walking trips.  I would  bring him a bodywarmer, except that it is still a bit cold and I know he likes fleeces.  I have been trying to persuade Scott to buy a waterproof coat for Harry and I think he will ( eventually)  Why shouldn't Harry have his own set of waterproofs?  He's not too keen on going for a walk when it's raining, and maybe a lovely quilted dog coat would make all the difference!  I saw a dog walker this morning in a wax jacket with dog in matching apparel, so we will see!

I brought some old samples of  outdoor clothing, fleeces and walking wear to the clothing bank today to be recycled for charity.  Hopefully they will beep someone somewhere warm and dry.  We all have a social responsibility, and we like to donate as much as we can, both to local charities and beyond if possible.  If everyone did a little bit the world would surely be a better place.   

The weather in Scotland can be fabulous or can be a disaster so the canny walker will always be prepared for the worst, knowing that he will need outdoor clothing fit for purpose, be it waterproof jacket and waterproof trousers, warm fleece or gilet.  You can get waterproof fleeces nowadays that give the protection you need for a shower, and on the other end of the spectrum are packable rain jackets that screw up into a bag or rucksack and take up very little room.   I don't thin I've ever been walking in Scotland and seen another walker that isn't mightily prepared for rain and attired in suitable rainwear! 

This weekend I got caught out in a heavy hail shower.  I was on my way home from church and even though I had a quilted jacket on, got completely drenched!  I should have worn my wax jacket, or even my longer wax raincoat  as my trousers also got soaked.  It was quite sunny early in the morning and I was disappointed not to get into the garden in the afternoon - I'm going to have to mow the lawn tonight as it's supposed to rain on and off for the rest of the week.  I have a friend who is getting married on Saturday and I hope she won't need to wear any rainwear although it has been known for brides to wear white wellies just in case.  

Rutland

Walkers are a hardy breed and no the matter how bad the weather they will still be out there in their waterproof jackets and waterproof trousers. It has been a busy week for Outdoor Scene and we have been sending out orders for rainwear, wax jackets and waterproof trousers and packable jackets all over the country.  Equally in demand are fleece jackets and bodywarmers, which are great for when it isn't raining and you just need an extra layer or two.   We have even had orders for walking sticks so people are gearing up for walking . 

There are lots of walking holidays on offer nowadays and there is even a singles walking holiday  to Rutland Water.  There are plenty of lovely eating places in the area as well as comfortable inns and hotels where you can be sure to receive lots of attention and good care if you get caught in the rain!  You can even have clothes washed and dried and ready for the next day's walking if you get soaked.   As I write this Harry our office dog is looking at me beseechingly with his little hazel eyes,  trying to melt my heart into talking him out for his afternoon walk!  

I know they will have been prepared...waterproof jackets and waterproof trousers are essential for this weather, but they may have just brought wax jackets as no one expected it to be so wet and wild!   There are many stunning coastal and forest  walks on Mull, and the only Munro is Ben More with fabulous views - well worth the walk!   There are lots of beautiful, secluded beaches with white pristine sand, all the more attractive because of the lack of crowds and not far away is Iona, which also has wonderful beaches and equally enjoyable walks. Iona is somewhere I would love to go, especially because it is a significant site in Christian history and everyone I know who has been there says there is a wonderful feel to the place.   

Tony enjoys taking photographs so I'll be expecting to see evidence of all the walks they have embarked on and the wildlife shots if every animal appears!  Good walking boots are the order of the day as well as appropriate outdoor clothing - rainwear, fleeces, bodywarmers - all will be used walking in Scotland!

I have never been to Mull but I'm a bit of a fairweather walker and unless I know what the weather is like for sure I'm reluctant to go walking anywhere!