can't cope with the heat

Better today in UK, but if you have no shutters, or your roller shades are rubbish, take a large bath sheet and tuck in top over the shade roller for extra insulation on south and west facing windows.

We also installed ceiling lights that have fans built in... wonderful.

When we visit the US, I always bring back their ice trays...so much bigger. Make lots of ice and then store in plastic bags to keep up the supply.

Put glasses/tumblers in the freezer after wetting them. Nice for a cool drink, lemonade, beer, cider, etc as it keeps the drink cold longer if you don't put ice in them.

Stay cool!

I'm so pleased to know that I'm not the only one to absolutely hate this weather (today is more tolerable though). I would normally stay indoors with the blinds shut but I had to do two driving commitments on Tuesday and Wednesday - horrible. I also have a 'hairy' rescue dog who I have been taking out early morning and late evening (no lunchtime walk and yes he is trimmed as far as possible)and covering him in wet towels if he seemed in distress. Roll on October!!!
In the '70's I worked on a cruise ship in the Caribbean, going as far as Venezuala and never felt uncomfortable - must be an age thing!

Here here Tanith I'm definitely with you on this one. I'm a sun lover always have been, everything seems so much better when the suns out.

I am so relieved that it is not just me who is not the only one not 'loving' this heat. Where I live,it hit a fraction over 35 Celsius on Tuesday this week,the hottest recorded in England on that day,apparently. I find temperatures like that exhausting and energy-draining. Sleep is nearly impossible,even with my very efficient and quiet tower fan on all night. The air feels thick and 'claggy',like I am trying to breath in soup rather than air,and I don't normally suffer from breathing problems. I really feel for those who do. Getting dressed is a nightmare as I am so hot and sticky,despite only having got out of the shower 15 minutes previously. I have to wash my hair every day otherwise it's a lank,sweaty mess by mid morning. I can't keep up the constant supply of cold drinks in the fridge,I must be getting through about 6 litres a day in soft drinks and water. Our poor cat doesn't know what to do with herself,she is flaked out under the seat on the balcony all day and hardly eats. And don't get me started on the ruddy flies keep coming in. And none of this is made any better by my partner who,coming from Ethiopia,seems completely unaffected by it! Asks me to turn the fan off at night because 'It's making him chilly'.

As an afterthought,I very rarely complain about the cold weather! Everyone else seems to be complaining it's 'freezing' when it's 10 degrees Celsius. To me,freezing is when it actually hits zero. If the temperature never went above 20 Celsius all year,that would suit me fine.

Rosina - I adore autumn too. Perfect time of year IMO. Rarely too hot or too cold, doesn't get light at stupid o'clock in the morning disturbing my sleep,beautiful colours of the leaves,clear air and everything seems 'clean and refreshed' somehow after the summer heat. Love it!

Ha ! Buy your grandchildren a large swimming pool ! .....I have an inflatable spa in my garden which is bliss ! I also live in SW France and yes, it was 38 degrees two days this week ....but sitting in the spa, then wearing a wet cozzy all afternoon kept the heat down (supposed to be bad for you, but what isn't !) ......today is lovely, nearer to 27 and much better ......just got out of my spa and now have only a sarong and flip flops on ! OR, if you have a garden and no small children for an excuse to buy a pool, buy a garden shower ....I had those before the spa, and they are wonderful ! *don't leave the hose connected, though, as the water in it gets too hot !.....when we lived in Spain, and it was 42 for weeks on end, we had a proper pool but even that was like a hot bath at 36 degrees ! Here we are issued with 'canicule' warnings (heat wave) ....drink plenty of water, use a fan, take frequent showers, keep shutters closed and windows open (could apply to curtains too) ...use a cool water spray on your face and other parts .....do not go outdoors during the middle of the day ...... all common sense really ! Also keep an eye on aged neighbours !

Soon be winter ......

My mother, who was staying with us this week, had her make up in the freezer this morning before putting it on!

Violette, may I ask- what is the brand of your inflatable spa? I saw one for sale recently and was tempted- as it would have my knee replacement recovery. But I was wondering- does it have inbuilt seats or do you have to sit on spa floor? Thanks.

Today was much more pleasant here. I was sitting contentedly on a bench with two good friends, looking out over the glorious Yorkshire countryside, catching up on our news, thinking how good life was, when a bee flew straight down the front of my dress, and back out via an armhole, stinging me as it went. And to think I've signed petitions to protect the darn things!

Violette the trouble with the UK is that the spa/swimming pool/outdoor shower etc would be used for about 3 days a year.

It's drizzling here again now

Can never get our house warm in the winter but on the odd occasion of summer weather it is wonderfully cool and a refuge from the heat. Bliss

Im also not a lover of extreme heat or cold. I have a stand up fan and I would urge anyone to go and get the same. Once switched on I need a duvet!

Oh Maggie! Poor little thing will have died though!

It would have done, Bellanonna, and I did feel sad for it. Though I was surprised that one of my friends said "oh, poor little thing" before sympathising with me! We vacated our bench then sharpish in case all his little friends zoomed in on us to revenge his death.

Why would anyone like heat where your clothes stick to you, your skin burns, hair is frizz hell, everything just melts? And it's stopped my ancient fridge from working, so we're probably going to die of food poisoning, too!

I do sympathise Maggie. Wasps and bees get me moving away very quickly. In fact I gather a bee sting can be very painful. Hope the swelling's gone down now.?

At first I couldn't be a****d to reply to this thread, because of the heat (I am WILTING) but I am still trying to figure out whether you are supposed to be wearing the trousers in the OP.

I'd have thought so JackyB otherwise they're just taking up room in the frig. I had to cover OH in wrung out towels as he was really suffering. Seemed to help. Bit better today. No sun, but still sultry. That'll teach us to moan about the miserable summer weather ⚡️☄??☔️