The heat

Davida1968

I'm surprised that there seem to be no minimal of gardens on this thread. We're lucky enough to have a garden, and that it always has a shady spot somewhere, so we sit outside for much of the day, moving around. Yesterday and today we've had a cooling breeze, which is great! (We're in NW England but it's already 30°.)
Other cooling factors in our (small) garden are hedges and grass - we focus on supporting wildlife so some of the grass is uncut at present. (It remains pretty green.) We also have a small pond and a (freestanding, and unconnected with the pond) water feature, which sounds lovely and cool. (It's the sort which pours down through "bowls".). Perhaps this isn't for everyone but it's just some ideas!

I think you under estimate just how small many modern gardens are. 3m x 5m would encompass the size garden attached to many new houses, certainly in our neck of the woods.

We live in an old house in a town centre and have a bigger garden than average for our situation, and yes, part of the garden is in shade all day long, but we are surrounded by buildings, a converted mill and its car park behind us. The huge walls of tall old buildings on either side.

The temperature in our garden, even in the shade, has been far too hot to even contemplate, sitting out in, even when there has been a breeze. We have just hunkered down in doors with curtains and blinds drawn on the sunny side. We have fans on all day

I have vacated the bedroom . Just too hot!! Instead I sleep downstairs on the couch. ( much cooler) the curtains have been closed all day. I lay a 1 tog duvet on the cushions , tucking it in where the cushions meet the back. Open a window at about 8pm . I settle down at about 11pm and if needed throw the rest of the douvet over me. If I dont need it it flows onto the floor and is then ready to pull over me if
necessary. Perfect - have slept very well. If I get up for the loo it is lovely to feel the cool air.
Going upstairs to bed was tiring! I could feel the temperature rise as I went up each step!

I'm surprised that there seem to be no minimal of gardens on this thread. We're lucky enough to have a garden, and that it always has a shady spot somewhere, so we sit outside for much of the day, moving around. Yesterday and today we've had a cooling breeze, which is great! (We're in NW England but it's already 30°.)
Other cooling factors in our (small) garden are hedges and grass - we focus on supporting wildlife so some of the grass is uncut at present. (It remains pretty green.) We also have a small pond and a (freestanding, and unconnected with the pond) water feature, which sounds lovely and cool. (It's the sort which pours down through "bowls".). Perhaps this isn't for everyone but it's just some ideas!

Avanti West coast and London North West trains to and from London did us proud yesterday- perfect air con on both services.
was at A Midsummer Nights Dream at Regents Park Open Air Theatre
It was a balmy summers evening in the theatre /auditorium areas and plenty of shady corners for our big family picnic before the play.
I can honestly say that for the last half hour or so, about 9.45 onwards, I felt pleasantly cool for the first time in 2 weeks!

Mamie

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.

this sounds awful I hope you are ok

I think it is making the animals a bit skittish. I've had a bald cat trying to get in the house (the dog is taking absolutely no notice of it...) and then this morning a wagtail flew into the lounge

The North wind doth blow
It may not bring snow
But temperatures under 30 TG
Oop north will get warm
Which might be quite nice
But if it’s like it’s been down here -poor things
We’ll all hunker down
And keep ourselves cool
With magnums and lollies and Pimms- poor things

What a welcome cooler morning.

At last a very pleasant cool breeze coming through my open bedroom window. I actually needed to put the light duvet on. Well half on half off. And went and made a cup of tea.

The breeze must be coming from the north as my windows are rattling. It makes me feel cooler just writing the words..coming from the north.

The plants and grass in the south facing garden have been blasted by the sun. A lot won't survive they are so shrivelled. I moved several potted hydrangeas up the side of the house into the shade and they are fine. The rest of the garden looks a shrivelled mess. Even the lavenders are struggling.

Thanks madeleine45,.
By the way, I enjoyed reading your thoughts about the pros and cons of moving, too.

i struggle in very hot conditions too.I found a hot water bottle filled with cold water and stored in the fridge ( not freezer) by day, helpful at night - wrapped in a pillowcase and used to chill the bed - and me.
I really would like a ceiling fan! I wonder if anyone has invented a personal chiller of some sort- like an air conditioned seat pad or mattress?

I have one consideration that perhaps may not occur to many. Having had a seizure due to my sodium levels being reduced to a low level I am very aware that as you sweat you are losing salts from your body and you do need to keep hydrated but also you need to replace the salt. My sodium levels are border line but until the seizure occurred I had no idea. I also believed that salt should be avoided as much as possible as it was supposed to raise blood pressure. I now use salt quite liberally to maintain a good level in the very hot weather. When we visited Singapore some years ago were told to keep sipping water rather than taking long drinks. Meanwhile I am just like Miss Adventure as I am finding it unbearable and frighteningly so. My mantra is “I can’t stand this any longer”. If I could sleep for even a part of the night it would help.

I put some tips on another post but will add them here in the hopes that they might help someone. If I have to go out, I always take with me a bottle of very cold water that has been in the coldest part of fridge. I leave a washbasin with cold water in it and put hands and wrists in it until very cold. Then I put a clean flannel in it and wring it out just so that it is not dripping, and then put it in a plastic bag. Put it next to your cold water bottle, and you have a cool flannel with you as you go out. When you feel very hot you can then find a shady bit of a path and have a drink and then use the flannel to cool your face , neck and hands. When I am at home I also use the cold water with the flannel to wet my hair and leave to dry., then repeat and you can dowse it in the cold water again and put it round the back of your neck.

If you have old hot water bottle, fill with very cold water and a little ice , then before you go to bed , use it like the old warming pans to cool your pillows and sheets etc. Leave it by your bedside with an extra pillow if you have one. Then if you wake up hot and sweaty you can change pillow - cooler than turning one over and if the cold bottle has been on it it will be worth swapping to try to sleep again. In the day, when sitting down put your bare feet on it. I put a thin towel of some description round it , as it feels better. Modern version is to use those freezer blocks that you put in lunch boxes , wrap with towel and use that. Whilst at home, definitely cotton or silk loose clothes and for ladies , unless it feels too uncomfortable no bra .

If you have to drive somewhere, aircon is good if you have it , but old ways also work. fFew carparks in Britain have any good shade, so my tip is to take with you a bath towel or sheet. When you park then drape the towel over your steering wheel and across to the back of the driving seat. This will help to avoid getting into a too hot seat and wheel. Fold up towel and sit on it to be more comfortable. Cold water bottle and flannel as above but in the side pocket, and if you have passengers can repeat on their side.

That is so funny MissA 😹😹😹

GrannyGravy
My aunt went the hairdressers for the first time in absolutely years, and asked for a blow job

GrannyGravy13

MissAdventure

I always have mint choc chip, in case i don't like whatever i choose.
So many flavours, though.
I really need to branch out a bit.

Rossi’s strawberry for me or a plain vanilla with flake.

My dearest friend once asked for a 69 instead of a 99 we will never valet her forget it 😹🍦

MissAdventure

I always have mint choc chip, in case i don't like whatever i choose.
So many flavours, though.
I really need to branch out a bit.

Rossi’s strawberry for me or a plain vanilla with flake.

My dearest friend once asked for a 69 instead of a 99 we will never valet her forget it 😹🍦

I always have mint choc chip, in case i don't like whatever i choose.
So many flavours, though.
I really need to branch out a bit.

Gransnet Coach Trip! Norty ones at the back. I'll bring the Lemon drops.

Rum & Raisin, waffle cone if you're askin'!

I can imagine!
I may be able to hobble, if it's not too far, then along to Rossi.

MissAdventure

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.

I am happy to drive you, yes I have air conditioning m.

Carrying you to the car could be problematic…

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.

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.

I'm finding it just unbearable.
Frighteningly so.

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.