It’s currently hotter than Corfu. ‘Corfu, not a scorcher!’ you might say (‘Cor, phew, geddit’?) and you’d be right. It will still be hotter than Corfu tomorrow, though not by very much, and by Wednesday normal service will be resumed as the temperature sinks from the current number of 34c to a more comfortable 24c. The man who has been to Corfu on a mere 25 occasions (adopts the Man from Del Monte voice), he say YESSSSSS!
Today was probably not the ideal one for son number two’s graduation ceremony, but Bristol University’s gloriously air-conditioned Wills Memorial building made it comfortable and not merely bearable. It was when we got outside that the heat took a grip. The uphill walk to the Senate building was the first sign that we were in mind-blowingly hot territory. My walking became more of a stagger, but happily more air-conditioning in the Senate and several unwise pints of Korev seemed to avert any kind of crisis.
Walking down Park Street to our celebratory meal in a top, top Italian restaurant was as unpleasant a downhill walk I had managed in years. I said, “There’s no air!” which is, on the face of it is a stupid thing to say, but there wasn’t so much as a breath of fresh air, just hot, sticky stuff. The last thing my body needed was more beer so the obvious thing to do was have more beer.
Leaving the restaurant and it felt even hotter, on the grounds it actually was. Staggering back to the car park – the designated driver being dry: remember, don’t drink and drive, folks – I just wanted more water and when we got home I drank what felt like gallons of it. Then, I fell asleep for an hour or so, waking as I did with a raging thirst. God above – yes, I know he isn’t, really – this is very uncomfortable.
In Greece, I can put the air conditioning on, dive in the pool, have a swim in the sea. In the city, everything just feels hotter. There were no sea breezes on Park Street. All I have is water, pint after pint after pint of it.
Anyone who is stuck at home, or in non air con work, who says they love this sort of weather; well, frankly I struggle to belief that. I’m not dreading tomorrow when it could be even hotter, but I am looking forward to Wednesday and beyond. Just do what I say – like don’t drink loads of beer – and not what I do – drink loads of lager and take care of yourselves and your dogs.
