Crap Weather for June!

[Barry]

Our bedroom is on the south facing side of the house. If it gets too hot, even with all the windows open, we simply de-camp to one of the bedrooms on the north facing side.

In general, if the temperature goes above 30C, I just 'shut down', and can only think of seeking shelter and/or a cold drink! Ironically, despite that I have been to dozens of countries where the temperature has been above 30C (peaking to 40C), yet I am prepared with plenty of water in my canteen and a good sun hat.

However I have to confess I suffered heat stroke whilst trekking in the desert in Mauritania. Didn't know it at the time, but my companions there said I started talking 'gibberish' (yet coherently - my speech was not slurred). They sat me down under a shady tree, I poured a litre of water over my head, and I had a kip for about 20 minutes. After that I was right as rain, but I learnt my lesson - that is keep drinking water, whether you feel thirsty or not!

[Pigmy Pony]

Gosh yes, dahling, bring it on, especially if the intruders are resplendent in latex...

Lol, no, aside from a roof (which will be added in due course) our backyard is fully enclosed and secluded within our grounds, partly by our house, walled garden and garage, all of which surround it - and as long as the garden gate and garage door are locked, it's very safe and totally private at any time of the day. That's why we enjoy having our meals there so much

Indeed, you could sit there naked and no-one would know, apart from passing birds and aircraft... During the summer months, the princess doesn't need too much encouragement either, testing out that theory!



Marco.

Put a roof on that and you'll just end up with another room - then where will you kip? Unless you install a sliding roof like they used to have in 'Supercar'

[Marco]

Lol yeah, good point, and also somewhere else to turn pink!

No, she's thinking more 'open and airy', along the lines of a pergola, to facilitate outdoor dining when it's raining during the summer

She also WANTS a firepit for outdoor parties during the autumn/winter, which I guess will tie in with the bar/patio area and pizza oven, and of course hot tub...

Marco.

[Marco]

Our bedroom is on the south facing side of the house. If it gets too hot, even with all the windows open, we simply de-camp to one of the bedrooms on the north facing side.

In general, if the temperature goes above 30C, I just 'shut down', and can only think of seeking shelter and/or a cold drink! Ironically, despite that I have been to dozens of countries where the temperature has been above 30C (peaking to 40C), yet I am prepared with plenty of water in my canteen and a good sun hat.

However I have to confess I suffered heat stroke whilst trekking in the desert in Mauritania. Didn't know it at the time, but my companions there said I started talking 'gibberish' (yet coherently - my speech was not slurred). They sat me down under a shady tree, I poured a litre of water over my head, and I had a kip for about 20 minutes. After that I was right as rain, but I learnt my lesson - that is keep drinking water, whether you feel thirsty or not!

You mean any more than usual?

No, interesting tales there... I've never been outside of Europe, so I guess never really experienced genuinely searing heat. The warmest was 38C in Pisa, last time we were on holiday in Italy, and walking in it for quite a while, which nearly killed me, until I found a shaded ice-cream parlour!

If I have to choose between existing in severe temperature conditions, I'm more comfortable and suited to the freezing than the roasting!! Quite simply, it's far easier to warm up when you're cold, than cool down when you're hot, especially when you're naked and so have no more clothes to remove!

Marco.

[Macca]

Nope, I couldn't breathe indoors in that heat! I find breathing difficult in stuffy conditions. Were there any windows in that room, or what was the ventilation like?
.

There was a huge skylight which I would leave open all the time, day and night, but it made no difference. You could climb out the skylight and there was a little bit of flat roof to sit on, but not really enough to sleep out on, although I did consider it. I used to sit out there in the evening with a can on the go though.

Been plenty of hot places, Mexico, the Caribbean, Nevada, California, but the hottest was in Europe - San Sebastian in Spain. 44C in the shade. Now that was crippling.

[Marco]

Wow, that's just madness... Thank God now for air-con, eh? Although, that won't help when you're outside.

Actually, outside in the fresh air (or as fresh as it can be in 30C+ temps) I'm not too bad, as you can always grab a super-cold beer or Coke and either drink it and/or place it against your forehead, to reduce your body temp, walk about or whatever, but indoors at night lying in bed when there's little to no light inside the bedroom, and it's stuffy and you're trying to get to sleep, the same (or similar) heat just seems much more 'suffocating', although I accept some of that effect may be psychological.

So how do you cope in extreme cold conditions, if indeed you've ever experienced such?

Coldest I've been out in was in Austria in December 1991, where it was -16C. Breathing in that sort of air was something else.. And multiple layers of thermal clothing, especially on your extremities, is vital in order not to get frostbite, and also somewhat surreal when accompanied by clear blue skies and bright sunshine - it's certainly invigorating!

Marco.

[Macca]

Wow, that's just madness... Thank God now for air-con, eh? Although, that won't help when you're outside.

Actually, outside in the fresh air (or as fresh as it can be in 30C+ temps) I'm not too bad, as you can always grab a super-cold beer or Coke and either drink it and/or place it against your forehead, to reduce your body temp, but indoors at night when there's little to no light inside a bedroom, and it's stuffy and you're trying to get to sleep, the same heat just seems much more 'suffocating', although some of that may be psychological.

So how do you cope in extreme cold conditions, if indeed you've ever experienced such?

Coldest I've been out in was in Austria in December 1991, where it was -16C. Breathing in that sort of air was something else.. And multiple layers of thermal clothing, especially on your extremities, is vital in order not to get frostbite, and also somewhat surreal when accompanied by clear blue skies and bright sunshine - it's certainly invigorating!

Marco.

I worked for a while in a meat warehouse -28C. Then moved to refrigerated which was balmy by comparison, 4C.

I avoid the cold if I'm not getting paid to be in it though. You wouldn't see me going on holiday somewhere cold. I did go to Scotland a couple of years back but in fairness I had no idea it would be as bad as it was.

[struth]

Too warm in bedroom tonight. Like an oven.

[Marco]

I worked for a while in a meat warehouse -28C. Then moved to refrigerated which was balmy by comparison, 4C.

I avoid the cold if I'm not getting paid to be in it though. You wouldn't see me going on holiday somewhere cold. I did go to Scotland a couple of years back but in fairness I had no idea it would be as bad as it was.

Lol, no worries... But that's where you and I are different. Scotland's great - just wrap up well! The air quality up north, due to a complete lack of pollution, is fab and very good for you, and the scenery just stunning.

Both Del and I *LOVE* the snow and holidaying in countries that lend themselves well to 'winter wonderlands', as we're fundamentally not beach people, although she wears a bikini quite well

In that respect, it'll be interesting to see what it's like when I take her to the Ice Hotel, in Sweden, for one of our anniversaries (I've yet to decide which one), and actually sleeping on a bed made of ice!

Just stunning: https://www.icehotel.com/art-suite

Marco.

[Marco]

Too warm in bedroom tonight. Like an oven.

I know, mate. I spent a chunk of it outside under the stars..

Marco.