The climate and the weather English poets often call their motherland "Merry green England". The unusual soft greenness of the English landscape is often explained by the country's maritime moisture climate. The winds from the Atlantic often bring to the British Isles rains which make English lawn green all year round. Typical English winter is fogs and drizzles. Although, the unpredictable English weather can bring surprises. Sometimes golden summer days may come in November, when it's time for sleet and the thick yellow fog which is called "a pea souper". According to the newspapers, in the 31st of December, 1963 people actually bathed on the White Island, in the English Channel. Rains determined not only the external appearance of the British Isles, but also some traits of English character. Since the people constantly have to overcome their reluctance to leave the comfort of home and go into the rain, they developed the famous English punctuality. Even the heaviest of rains can't make an Englishman change his plans whether it is a friends' meeting at a pub or the multiday March for Nuclear Disarmament. The traditionally English traits such as caution and frugality are considered by many as developed under the influence of the rainy climate. The English are always preoccupied with such things as to put something up for a rainy day, not to forget to take an umbrella when leaving the house, etc. Although nowadays people often prefer a Macintosh to an umbrella, the Main Office of the London Metropolitan transport annually receives about 70 000 umbrellas which were forgotten in buses and in the underground by passengers.