Yesterday, February 2nd, as well as being the Super Bowl, was Groundhog Day - see picture above which I have borrowed from the web (you will find it and much more on a YouTube clip if you search for Groundhog Day).
The tradition of Groundhog Day is apparently based around a German superstition that on February 2nd - Candlemas - observing the behaviour of badgers was the key to knowing when to plant Spring crops .
Groundhog Day has been observed in the US since the early 1800's and when Punxsutawney Phil - the 'official' groundhog/woodchuck/marmot pictured above - emerges from his burrow at Gobbler's Knob in Pennsylvania, if he sees his shadow and returns to his burrow it is said that the winter will continue for a further six weeks.
Yesterday apparently he did see his shadow and so we can expect some further wintry weather. Today it has poured with rain all day..
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