With the Paralympics snatching the limelight over the next 12 days it seems the weather may risk taking a bit of a back seat over the next few days. However, that does not mean there is not a lot of great meteorological stuff coming up. On the contrary, there may be a bit of blast of summer on the way next week. So I am duty-bound to keep the national obsession ticking over on here while sporting events take precedence in the papers. Met Office forecaster Barry Gromett said there is an “Azores high” pressure system on the way for the south pushing temperatures up. By Monday there is the distinct possibility some regions, including London could be enjoying some highs in the late 70s or early 80s (that’s aound 28C). He said: “We then have an Azores High pressure system which will keep the south much drier and temperatures will start to rise across England and Wales.” And Vantage Weather Services’ Jonathan Powell said the rain will give way by the weekend with the south enjoying a

Imagine the scenario. It’s Monday morning, the start of a new week, and after a quick coffee you head off to the  station for work. You arrive to find chaos, the station is packed, there are no trains, and the timetable reads “severe delays”. You immediately panic, Oh my God I’m going to be late. My boss will think I am not concientious, I’ll get a name for being untrustworthy. Hang on, I haven’t been late in three years, and this is not my fault. But they might not believe the train was delayed, they will assume I slept in. And probably today will be the very day I am needed to be in on time as something urgent has cropped up, now as I am standing helpless on this platform.  I’ll ring in and let them know. Hold on, the train may arrive, and then I’ll look stupid, and they’ll think there wasn’t a delay after all. And what if they don’t believe me when I ring, and think I am still in bed – with a hangover... calm it, they know you don’t drink.

Apologies for the absence this week, I had to give in to some vicious bug which has made me feel like death warmed up. However, I am on the mend, despite a slight throbbing head five days on - any medical tips gratefully received! I managed to drag myself to Canary Wharf yesterday to pick up some bits and bobs from Tesco. I was not in the mood for any antagonism, my mission being simply to pick up essentials for the weekend. However, despite not feeling 100 per cent, I still spotted something through bleary eyes that I couldn’t let go without a mini rant. It had of course slipped my attention that Tesco opens late on a Sunday, so I approached the shop entrance only to be greeted by a metal grille blocking my path. Fearing I would have to return home empty-handed, or wait outside the shop for an hour or so, I checked my watch, 11.45am. Handily, the shop had a list of opening times on the window, surely it wouldn’t be that long before I would be allowed in.

It’s not that often someone takes the trouble to show appreciation for what you do. So when it happens it is always very gratefully received. The following was posted by communications consultancy Madano on their website. They seem to have a bit of a soft spot for out weather coverage – thank you to writer Isabel Soper for taking the time to show your appreciation. Over the last six months, The Express newspaper has etched a very special place in the hearts of everyone at Madano. In spite of a momentous first half of 2012 in terms of the news agenda with the Leveson enquiry, banking scandals and eurozone crisis, The Express has fed us with a steady but nonetheless, dramatic diet of inspired ……weather coverage! While the weird UK climate of the last six months certainly hasn’t been simple or enjoyable for many, causing problems all over the country (and our hearts truly go out to all those affected), we have enjoyed the redoubtable, bulldog spirit with which the ever enthusias