The Rain is Falling All Around

It does seem to rain a lot in Britain. In fact foreigners often refer to it as the wet country. They are not wrong. No wonder we are obsessed by the weather as a nation. The last few months have seen devastating floods all over the UK stretching from Wales up to Derbyshire and everywhere in-between. Riverbanks have burst, homeowners evacuated and businesses closed. There has been no alternative but to relocate. Ducks have taken to visiting new lakes in flooded gardens. This is the weather at its worst. Man, despite all his achievements, cannot beat the rain.

But where would we be without rain? It is vital for our existence. Our bodies are made up of water. We rely on this magnificent liquid for our very survival, to grow our crops and keep us alive. We bathe in it, swim in it. It is central to our well-being.

It is fascinating to learn how rain is created from moisture evaporated by the sun then cooled by the air to form water droplets that form clouds. When they become full there is a downpour. The wonder of nature…

And it is this wonderment that our children marvel at as they see the world with fresh wide open eyes, giving nature the attention that it demands. At this time of year those of us fortunate enough to have gardens enjoy how the rain helps to transform the landscape. Buds appear on the trees, the first flowers emerge. Daffodils and stocks are two popular flowers of this time. With them come the buzzing bees and it’s as if the world awakens from its winter slumber. Birds visit bird baths to drink the water, others later in the season will take to bathing in it. The grass needs cutting, the fruit trees need pruning. There is work to be done. All thanks to the rain. Various religions pray to rain gods because this compound is so vital. Yet we complain about the rain when those living in Africa cannot get enough of it. Travel to somewhere like Indonesia and in the middle of summer a welcome downpour will feel like a lovely warm shower in the scorching hot temperatures.

Creatives have paid homage to the rain. JMW Turner produced a painting entitled Rain, Steam and Speed. Vincent van Gogh painted Landscape at Auvers in the Rain. The subject has been written about by famous writers from Somerset Maugham to Alexander McColl Smith and many others. The poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote a couple of poems about it and so did Robert Louis Stevenson, whose poem Rain is short and sweet:

The rain is falling all around,
It falls on field and tree,
It rains on the umbrellas here,
And on the ships at sea.

Our children are more aware of climate change, global warming, and environmental disasters than their parents were at the same age. Hopefully it won’t scare them but will help to love Mother Earth and enjoy that first raindrop that touches their little noses and the sensation of standing outside in the pouring rain during a downpour. Of course it’s not so enjoyable if they’re not wearing the right clothing. And that’s where a decent waterproof and boots is vital. FRUGI has produced just such items.
 

FRUGI clothing is simple to purchase by visiting their easy to navigate FRUGI website and selecting from an array of items. Henry (4) loves dragons and dinosaurs and so was very pleased to see a blue waterproof emblazoned with fire breathing dragons that was the right size. It is always a bit of a gamble purchasing clothing online. The next issue is selecting the boots, although it isn’t a problem because the moment Henry spies a pair that match his coat, he is quick to decide. Available in various sizes including size 10 (UK) they are a good fit.

His order arrives in a couple of days in a cardboard box together with a little note about the collection – little footsteps to a happy life – inspired by the Japanese concept if Ikigai; a reason for being. Too eager to open the package, I don’t have time to grab my camera.

The lightweight waterproof is well made, easy to hang up and fold up, taking up very little space, comfortable to wear and comes with a hood. It fits Henry. “It’s made by the same company that made my spotty dress,” says Henry’s sister, Harriett (9). “I love it, I’ve had it quite some time and it’s very well made.”

Here is a brand for boys and girls up to the age of 10 (and breastfeeding wear for mums everywhere), that is kind to skin and ready for adventure, according to the website. This company is trying hard not to be a hindrance to the environment, too. Henry is now wearing a waterproof coat made from recycled plastic bottles. What a great idea! I have discovered that plastic bottles and polyester thread are actually made of the same substance – polyethylene terephthalate. The process involves bottles going to a recycling centre where they are shredded. These are then shipped to a specialist company, typically abroad. Clear white bottles produce a crisp white thread that can be dyed. A bath of water and chemicals follows. The plastic is melted. This then flows through tiny holes to make fine threads. After this fluff is torn up it gets strengthened into the polyester thread.

Henry’s Puddle Buster Wellington boots are made with super flexible natural rubber and are PVC free (PolyVinyl Chloride is the world’s third-most widely produced synthetic plastic polymer. About 40m tonnes of PVC are produced each year).

Now Henry and all his family for that matter, appreciate that it is possible to produce clothing that is more eco-friendly, helping a little to reverse the effects of climate change, rising temperatures and increased rainfall.

And Henry enjoys wet play wearing his FRUGI waterproof coat and boots.

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