PSYCHOLOGISTS tell us we still regard summer as a time of blue skies, barbecues and walking barefoot through freshly-mown grass.

Look out of the window and chances are you will see grey skies and sodden barbecues, and if you fancy a traipse through the grass, dig out your wellies.

It's August, the height of summer, and waters are rising alarmingly in parts of the county, bringing to mind wet autumns and approaching winter. It's summer and we're talking of floods.

How depressing. Next time you see a psychologist, put them in the picture.

Updated: 11:17 Friday, August 02, 2002