Here in the UK (and a large portion of western Europe) we’re encountering a heat-wave. It’s been making its way north over the past few days and is scheduled to reach the UK proper tomorrow and through into Tuesday. Current forecasts are that there’s an 80% chance of the previous high temperature record being breached, with a 50/50 likelihood of the mercuryy topping 40 degrees. Here in Sheffield where I live, the forecast if for the heat to raise to the high thirties. By way of comparison, the average July temperature in Sheffield is 21 degrees C.

I’m not a big fan of hot weather. Warm summer days are ok, but I really don’t want the local temperatures to be hotter than those in the Mediteranean or North Africa thank you very much. The UK is not equipped for such temperatures – buildings are designed for temperate conditions and few are equipped with air-conditioning. UK homes are also build predominatly to retain heat because, let’s face it, it’s chilly quite a lot between autumn and spring, so they do not fare particularly well when it comes to keeping their occupants cool.

We curently have four fans blowing in various rooms in the house. The living room is actually still quite comfortable – a benefit of it’s north-facing window at the front, and the fact that I’ve kepy the blinds shut at the back – but I suggest that even this room will become uncomfortable as the temperature rises. Upstairs will be worse, and I expect at least a couple of uncomfortable night’s sleep until the weather breaks on Wednesday.

I normally work from home but, by sheer bad luck, I have to travel to Birmingham tomorrow for a work meeting – only the second time I’ve travelled for business since before the pandemic. There is likely to be trvel disruption caused by the heat, especially when I’m coming home, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed that this is at a minimum – I really don’t want to be trapped on an un-air-conditioned train carriage!

I might schedule a quickie blog post in advance for tomorrow in the even that I’m delayed!

Wish me luck (and cool weather)!

The photograph today seems apt – an ice cream shop in Harrogate, albeit one that was closed when I visited.

Olympus 35 RC & Ilford FP4+. Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 10mins @ 20°.

Taken on 11 May 2022