As we melted our way into Bristol today, heat became more and more oppressive and, I have to say, unbearable. I have not known heat like it. When I checked my phone apps at 11.00 am, the truth was stark. It was 20c, only about 12c cooler than Corfu. 20c? Really?
Yes, really. And what was worse was the humidity. I am not an expert on these sort of things but I do know this: although it was not as hot as Greece, it bloody well felt it.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I like the heat. I prefer the sun to the rain any day of the week. But British heat, on the rare occasions it arrives at all, can be horrendous if you’re in the wrong place at the wrong time. Put me on a Greek sun bed, with a glass of something cold and a pool a few feet away and I’m happy. Unless there is a thunderstorm coming, Greek heat is a largely dry heat. Even when the Greek heat is much hotter than our heat, I can bear it easily. But in Bristol today, at a wonderful family event, it was at times pretty unbearable.
Tomorrow is going to make today feel like midwinter, with a staggering 32c (90f) on the cards and – joy upon joy – I am working! I don’t actually mind that because it will be too hot to do anything useless, like playing golf (imagine it!) or even lying in the back garden.
I am actually looking forward to Wednesday when the temperature dips to a far more comfortable 23c. I never thought I would say that!
