Yesterday I ventured out at lunchtime to renew my travel pass and yes, somehow, I ended up cruising the Chanel make-up counter of our local department store.

After eyeing up somme very pretty nail polishes, while quietly lamenting the passing of Chanel's Adventure-red lipstick (r.i.p: discontinued) I turned to make for the door. It was shedding it down.

I dashed for the next doorway. Stair rods of rain shot down from the sky. I dashed back into the department store, found a brollie, queued for five minutes and went back outside. Brilliant sunshine.

Why do I have four umbrellas hanging off the back of my office door and not one of them in my handbag when I need it?

This one's quite cheery. Smothered in pink roses and a mysterious purple flower (cunning ruse: stops men nicking your brollie).

I've just checked the BBC forecast. It's raining until Saturday. At least i'll get some use out of it, I suppose. Unless I leave it on the train...