The Hot is on its way

Cinnabar_wing said:

Scottish Borders is probably one of the few areas that doesn't have a bank holiday today, so it's work as usual,

That's a shame  

That is hot! 

Scottish Borders is probably one of the few areas that doesn't have a bank holiday today, so it's work as usual, but hope everyone else is keeping cool as best they can and staying hydrated.

I did keep the blackout curtains shut today (these are cheap black sheets cut up and stuck up with velcro patches).

B said:

Just taken the thermometer into the sun.

It says over 50 degrees  

Perhaps the plastic is heating up and distorting the reading

Cinnabar_wing said:

Must be very hot further south you go.

I am almost as far south as you can go in England.

The conservatory/kitchen is 30 degrees.

Just taken the thermometer into the sun.

Keeping hydrated is so very important.

I'm exceptionally lucky to have a portable air conditioning unit to sit in front of.

I hope you enjoy, if you can.

I hope people are taking care. 

We've had our first hot day today, the weekend was more 18° with clouds and a colder breeze so it was pleasant for garden work.

Today though still breezy, its a lot warmer and broke the 20 mark at 23°. 

Must be very hot further south you go.

It's worth bearing in mind that top temperatures given out by the met office, both predicted and actual, are in the shade.

I intend to put my thermometer in the sun in a while.

It will be scorchio on the porchio. 

All the aircon I've every experienced is very noisy, it's also very drying to the skin and makes you thirsty, theres got to be a better way?

I have head of air source heat pumps that can do the reverse and cool things down, now that would be better as it would be less noisy, but again it's the cost and having a suitable house

I appreciate this won’t be within everyone’s budget, but a few years ago we decided to treat home air conditioning as a health and sensory accommodation. It was available in so many other places (cars, shops, on holiday, etc), but we didn't have it at home, where we needed it the most.

Costs can vary hugely, with options ranging from portable units to single- or multi-room fitted systems (which can also be used for heating). And there are trade-offs - for example, they can be noisy, and true portable air-con units need venting through a window.

I don't mention this insensitively in respect of cost, but hot weather can be badly disabling and air conditioning - if affordable - can really help, which I can vouch for.

I  like summer, but only when its around 20c and there is so clouds in the sky.

I'm not looking forward to the summer heat.  It makes me dizzy, pollen blows all over the place and my knee pain is worse in the heat.

Thank you - that's lovely of you to say.

Heatwave thresholds by area map.

3 consecutive days at these temperatures = a heatwave.

Sorry to read about your health issues relating to the heat. I am the opposite as I have Raynards and recent bike rides have left me struggling to hold my door key and shivering until I got warmed up. I love the warm weather and being able to ride out without all those layers on. I brought a cool mat to sleep on and they do make it bearable to sleep. Like you, I have issues with noisy neighbors so that is a downside.    

I always have cotton sheets, I can't stand polycotton, not only does it not help regulate temperature but they go bobbly after a while and I hate bobbly sheets!.

I use a cold water bottle, I also find washing my feet before bed good too. As I said earlier, my cooling dog mat is really good.

We've got blinds that reflect the heat back out and I was looking a fans earlier.

Having just jet cleaned half the patio in scorching temperatures (south of England) I enjoyed sitting down with a long drink and reading your tips 

Thank you 

I have some hacks for hot weather ;

1. 4mm polycarbonate panels on South-facing windows, fixed with heavy duty velcro. These keep the room warm in winter and cool in summer. I measured them so they fit behind the window handles and windows can still be opened. This works really well, although fexpensive to start with.

2. line your curtains with blackout and thermal lining [ie the fabric has both properties].

3. close the curtains and windows on the side the sun is shining, opening windows and curtains the other side for ventilation

4. buy Egyptian cotton sheets - they wick sweat far better than polycotton. Ditto cotton PJ's, clothing and underwear

5. use a cold water bottle [ie as opposed to a hot water bottle] in bed

6. either get up earlier before the heat OR become a night owl for the summer

7. add lime cordial, mint leaves and ice to carbonated water, for a cooling drink

8. buy an inexpensive fan and an extension lead - to use outdoors and indoors. Or, a Japanese paper fan

9. fix a simple home-made canopy to your exterior [mine is fixed to the veranda] - this cuts off the heat whilst allowing light through. Mine's fixed with vine eyes, butcher hooks, carabiners, bamboo rods fore and aft for strengthening and washing-line poles. The fabric is awning canvas.

Oh, I forgot - also pacing myself with my 'to do' list, by having a cup of tea or coffee and a rest between tasks. Or reading a chapter of a book before returning to do the next task. This way it doesn't tire you out so much in the heat.

Nice to see you back Bunny

25 in deep shade in the garden right now.

My conservatory is open to the kitchen and I was just frying lunch.

It will be over 30 in there.

Now I am frying

Last year I bought myself a large dog cooling blanket and put it under my bottom sheet to sleep on, it made a big difference, I wan't always comfortable and I did wake up a few times, but I also had periods of proper sleep between waking. GOing to the loo was enough time for the blanket to cool back down again.