Out in the rain yesterday, under my rather nice PRS for Music umbrella given to me at Midem years ago, I noticed that it's getting harder and harder to walk with an umbrella these days. There is so much scaffolding blocking pavements that people have to step into the road or into buildings to avoid approaching pedestrians with lethal weapons of mass destruction.

And conversations are struck up, prompted by apologies, smiles, comments...

something so very British in your brolly etiquette.

the only ones I see are colourful beach umbrellas.