10 things to look forward to this summerâ¦

Long faces everywhere at news from weather forecasters Metcheck.com that Britain might be in for a wet summer this year. But never mind the scarce sun-rays! There are still more than enough reasons to be happy over the next four months, and This is London has picked the top 10 to keep you smiling...

Euro 2004: The agony, the ecstasy, the possibility that England might win its first major trophy since 1966 - the Euro 2004 tournament has all the drama you could ever want. Plus it's a cast iron excuse to go and spend time in...

Beer gardens: With the advent of the portable garden heater it doesn't matter what the summer throws at us - we can all pretend we're healthy, outdoorsy kinds of people by enjoying our alcohol in the fresh air. And if we really want to shake off the shackles of repression we can also shake our tailfeather at some...

Festivals: This year the monster mellow-out known as Glastonbury is being held on 25th, 26th and 27th June 2004. If mud and magic mushroom stew is not your thing, then other musical events around include Womad (23-25 July), the V Festival (21-22 August), T in the Park (10-11 July) and Reading (27-29 August). After a few days of music and merrymaking you will definitely be needing some...

Bank holidays: This year these include an early May Bank Holiday on 3rd May, Spring Bank Holiday on 31st May and Summer Bank Holiday on 30 August. Turn the alarm off, roll over and go back to sleep, to dream of...

Wimbledon: Find out if Tim Henman can come up with the goods this year, at the tournament that runs from 21 June to 4 July. Or wait instead for the upcoming film Wimbledon to be released in August. The tennis yarn stars Paul Bettany as a British player who — inspired by love — actually stands a chance of winning the men’s singles title. Back in SW19 you can always drown your sorrows in strawberries and show off a bit of...

1950s glamour: The shops are alive with the sound of retro! Cork and wedge heels with ties, full summer skirts and dresses, halternecks and big sunglasses abound. It's certainly a far more elegant - and flattering - way to spend the summer than micro-shorts and crop tops. Unless, of course, you are a man, or an athlete at...

The Olympics: In which case cork heels and full skirts will not work for you at all, as you battle the heat of steamy Athens to win the high jump. Other reasons to be cheerful include not having to tussle with time zones — no more watching the 100 metres at 4am, while having to choose between the curling finals or rhythmic gymnastics at peak times. And if you get bored of sport there are always...

The new summer film releases: These include Troy in May, the third Harry Potter and The Stepford Wives in June, Shrek 2, Spider-Man 2 and Thunderbirds in July and Catwoman in August. Oooh, make mine a box of salt and sweet mixed popcorn. I'll work it all off in horseplay at one of...

London's parks: All it takes is a five-minute break in the rain for Londoners to rediscover the joys of the city’s magnificent green spaces. Longer than ten minutes and we all head for the nearest park, to take off shirts or put on bikinis for sunbathing or a game of frisbee. Never let it be said that we don’t know how to make the most of an opportunity, no matter how slight. And who knows, that brief exposure to blue skies might mean that we get a...

Suntan: Or at the very least lose that blue tinge, cultivated over another Long British Winter. The knowing among us will make sure they have a professional spray-tan before taking their clothes off in public places, so that a) everyone thinks they are naturally golden, and b) they don't scare people. The rest of us will stay pale and hold out for the real thing, because we know it's important to...

Have faith: Okay, it’s the eleventh reason to smile — but given that Metcheck’s rival, the Met Office, disputes Metcheck's glum prediction and says that the signs are not bad for the summer there’s — as ever - a 50:50 chance of sun. So stiff upper lip, chaps...