Basking in the (blue, white and) red glow of national pride at the still-rising stockpile of Olympic medals has almost made up for the fitful weather we have faced this summer.

But cast your minds back to the glorious sunshine we experienced last August. In many ways, they were still the darkest of days. In stark contrast to this year's damp national glory, last year, we were facing sunshine and national disgrace as rioters took to the streets and the police struggled to retain control. The swift shift from a very British civil society to unruly anarchy in a few, isolated areas was truly shocking. Not to mention a sharp reminder that this is a country with its ills.