Umbrella (Paraplu)

When I lived in the UK I would often carry one around. Travelling on foot through North London to catch the train to my work, an umbrella was a necessary item when leaving the house. 

But now I live in the Netherlands.  And it has suddenly occurred to me.   

You never see a Dutchie with a brolly. 

No commuters, no parents collecting kids at nursery, no dog walkers. There is a simple reason for this.

The Wind.

The weather here in NL is a curious thing.  You might wake to golden sunshine and blue skies but don't be fooled.  Give it an hour before you decide to go for a walk.  It can really change that quickly.  

I have seen some seriously biblical weather since I have been here.  Not only do the ferocious winds multi-task in trying to both remove your trousers and choke you to death simultaneously, but the torrents of rain will also attack from all sides -  including from below, rendering you a dissolving, shivering mess immediately.

We also had snow drifts last year of which the likes I haven't seen in decades of living in the UK.  I suppose because this place is completely and totally flat as a pancake, the wind will blow the snow more effectively across open ground, burying your car, house, pets and children in double-quick time.

I have had some strange conversations with Dutch colleagues about the weather.  However, it is always disappointing, as they simply are not as impressed by the weather as we are.

"Have you seen this!?" I exclaimed excitedly as I jabbed my finger towards the window and beyond at the ominously darkening sky.  It was 2pm and almost black as night.

My colleague shrugged disinterestedly as he poured himself his 15th cup of coffee (normal daily amount for a Dutchie).  

"Yes but it's worse in England right?"

"Err no!"  I replied incredulously.  "It's never worse than this in England.  Not even in Manchester!"

As I continued to watch, transfixed by the tumultuous scene unfolding outside the window, it suddenly dawned on me.  We Brits actually love the drama of the weather and  secretly enjoy the carnage and mess it creates.  Even if it has a destructive influence on our own lives.

But here in NL, everyone just gets on with it.  It’s normal.  The clouds and gales regularly roll in off the North Sea, quickly do their terrible deeds and then slink off again.  No-one bats an eyelid.  They just stick on their macs, get the bike out of the shed and cycle off to work even when hailstones as big as beavers are landing on their heads. 

With not even an umbrella to soften the blow. ☔