Fill each blank with a word or phrase from the list. Use each item once.

Several years ago some friends and I decided to go cycling together. We waited \(1\) ... the rush hour was over \(2\) ... we set off. \(3\) ... it looked \(4\) ... it was going to rain, we still decided to go \(5\) ... this was the last opportunity we would have some time. We had packed plastic macs, \(6\) ... we wouldn't get too wet \(7\) ... there was a shower. \(8\) ... we were riding along in single file on the outskirts of town, Paul, \(9\) ... was bringning up the rear as usual, suddenly gave a shout. \(10\) ... we turned back to see what was wrong, we found \(11\) ... he had swerved to avoid a dog, \(12\) ... had run out in front of him. \(13\) ... , he had gone into a ditch at the side of the road. The bicycle had hardly been damaged, \(14\) ... Paul was \(15\) ... bruised and shaken that we decided to go home. \(16\) ... we arrived at my house, it started pouring with rain. We realised that our day out would have ended badly even without the accident.