The heat

I have a lovely fan blowing gently on me. I was so impressed with it, when I bought it a few weeks ago, I bought another four, for around the house. I have a wash in tepid water during the day and at night. I’m sipping water with cucumber and mint throughout the day.

I live alone so have the luxury of a fan directed straight at me all the time, although I'm not feeling brilliant just having hot air blowing on me. Unfortunately my living room is SW facing so gets the sun all afternoon and by evening is 32.5C even with the blinds closed all day. That's where I spend my evenings!

I'm sleeping with my legs raised quite high and wearing support stockings all day because otherwise my legs and ankles will swell. Both options are uncomfortable in the heat but the stockings slightly less so.

I see we've got another week of it here, so just hope I can make it through. 🥵🦵🧓

Well living alone I have the luxury of being able to go without any clothes on - apart from socks, flip flops and a smile. Its a very liberating feeling.

Unfortunately I have a Tescp delivery tomorrow and a Royal Mail pickup so I will have to wear one of my kaftans. But be sure I will not have anything underneath.

I have to wear support stockings Chestnut, as you say it’s the lesser of two evils. I keep a small spray bottle, filled with water, in the fridge and spray my legs gently from time to time. It helps.

Seriously thinking about having air-con installed as we’ve struggled to keep the temp in the house down. Have fans which keep us cool individually but despite closing everything up on sunny side of the house it’s still baking.
Don’t forget to drink plenty everyone.

I have a battery operated neck fan. A birthday present to DH last year, but he cannot get on with it, I have taken it over. A gentle breeze blowing up my neck and on to my face all the time.

Had to do two essential 4 hour train journeys in the last 48 hours. No air conditioning on trains and temperature 40° in crowded carriages. Hand-held fan, flask of water and Evian spray helpful, but it was still awful.

Cath9

How are you all managing with this heat?
I fell asleep watching the box only to wake up in a pile of sweat so have been having a cold shower before hitting the pillow

According to my newspaper the best thing is to have a tepid shower half an hour before going to bed.
Try it and report back.
I’m not going to bother because I haven’t been adversely affected during the night but it would be interesting to have an opinion.

DD has a long cold bath. Stays in it for up to an hour, until her whole core has cooled down and she is shivering. She says this gives her a good 5 hours of untroubled sleep.

I have a large pedestal fan standing close to the end of my bed that I leave on all night.

I'm a bit worried about all the people having 2 or 3 showers per day to keep cool, and running the washing machine unnecessarily. 💧 They don't remember 1976 when we had stand pipes in the street. Let's hope we don't have to go back to that because people are taking the water supply for granted. 😧

I have a rectangular washing up bowl of cold water in the bath so that several times a day I can sit on the bath board and soak my feet and splash my lower legs for 10 mins. I use a little Faith in Nature Grapefruit and Orange liquid soap
Very cooling. And I can use the water at the end of the day for the plants as we have just had a hosepipe ban.

In another thread a PP said she runs a bath with cold water and has a quick bath several times a day. If it gets hotter I may do the same.

Whenever the temperature rises, my IBS plays up - such a nuisance 😩

I’m very interested reading these threads about keeping bodies and homes cool.
I feel something of an oddity here. Other than opening the bedroom window the heat hasn’t bothered me at all - granted in the NE, we are probably 10 degrees cooler. I’m still wearing my long bengalines trousers and a tshirt during the day and a knee length nightie to bed. I don’t even possess a pair or shorts, or a sleeveless top - but that’s vanity!

M0nica

DD has a long cold bath. Stays in it for up to an hour, until her whole core has cooled down and she is shivering. She says this gives her a good 5 hours of untroubled sleep.

I have a large pedestal fan standing close to the end of my bed that I leave on all night.

That sounds very tempting but I’m not sure I could get out of the bath now, the last time I had a bath it was as struggle to get out. I do sit with my feet in cold water in the evening though.

We have 4 fans.
I broke beyond repair yesterday.
Pretty sure another one has lost quite a bit of power.

Got to the stage of borrowing from other people.
We have a baby and young children arriving here shortly.

My grandchildren are loving it touring the UK and Europe. They feel right at home. No complaints from them at all.

nanna8

My grandchildren are loving it touring the UK and Europe. They feel right at home. No complaints from them at all.

Hope they're not going to Paris, the temp there is 38c or more. Are they really comfortable with that? Cities are awful in the heat, esp the Underground.

fancythat

We have 4 fans.
I broke beyond repair yesterday.
Pretty sure another one has lost quite a bit of power.

Got to the stage of borrowing from other people.
We have a baby and young children arriving here shortly.

You can next day delivery from Amazon and there are some fans available but check the size because lots of them are small ones for the desk. I bought a really good tower fan last month but they're out of stock with most fans.

It could be worth getting someone to help move an armchair into a cooler room (kitchen or bedroom) if your sitting room is uncomfortable everyone!
The temp in my kitchen is so different from my other rooms as it's faces North and I'm able to keep a window open.
Worth a thought, nearer the fridge for picky bits too

Chestnut

I'm a bit worried about all the people having 2 or 3 showers per day to keep cool, and running the washing machine unnecessarily. 💧 They don't remember 1976 when we had stand pipes in the street. Let's hope we don't have to go back to that because people are taking the water supply for granted. 😧

I get your concern, however our bedsheets and my clothes are dripping with sweat and have to wash them.

My body needs two showers a day, they are kept very short and to be brutally honest at all of our ages, including those with medical issues, letting cool, hydrated and healthy should be our main consideration (imo)

Chestnut

I'm a bit worried about all the people having 2 or 3 showers per day to keep cool, and running the washing machine unnecessarily. 💧 They don't remember 1976 when we had stand pipes in the street. Let's hope we don't have to go back to that because people are taking the water supply for granted. 😧

.
Running the washing machine unnecessarily? How very arrogant! Who are you? The laundry police?

I will decide what is necessary in my household, whether it's when to take a shower, when to wash my clothes or any other thing. You take care of your own domestic affairs and leave the rest of us grown-ups to look after ours.

I'm finding it just unbearable.
Frighteningly so.

MissAdventure

I'm finding it just unbearable.
Frighteningly so.

Solidarity MissAdventure
I've been sat near the fan, spraying my feet with cold water and trying to imagine paddling in a cool stream.

Ooh yes, that would be lovely.a lovely little cool stream, with our toes dipping in.
Then someone to carry me to their air conditioned car, and drive me along the seafront, for a mint icecream.