In fact, it doesn't rain that much in England. Manchester gets about 32in per annum and London only 22in. I can't find it now but I read somewhere that it rains for one hour in 17 in London. For four years I cycled daily the 12-mile return trip from Loughton to Walthamstow and it was surprising how infrequently I needed my waterproof. God, I miss Chingford. :-)