THERE can be no better example of typical British weather than that of the Easter break. Last Saturday I walked with my husband along the river near my home, both of us in light clothing, with sleeves rolled up in the warmth of the sun. The next day, it was like winter, with a wind chill factor that would have tested Shackleton. Just 50 miles away, towards the coast, my parents woke up to a fine covering of snow.

The unpredictable weather is one of the things we love about this country - and why we talk about it so much.