…hot. Weather continues hot, with all that entails: men thinking it’s appropriate to go shirtless on the Underground, for example. For the avoidance of doubt, it isn’t, and no one wants to see those tattoos. The annual competition for the hottest underground line. Co-ops all over the country decorated with ‘this fridge is broken’ signs. Airconditioning units sold out. Dust and pollution replacing pollen in the noses of everyone in the city. The daily checking of BBC Weather (other apps are available) chasing the rain which is always just a few more days away. Online articles with top tips on how to beat the heat, at varying costs depending on which paper is currently clickbaiting you.
So, in the spirit of the season, here are my top tips for not going completely mad in the ongoing heatwave:
- Lucozade Ice Kick on the train to hydrate. Two for £3 in the co-op at Farringdon (their fridges are working) bought just before you get on the train
- Keep a stash of water bottles in your freezer. Not to drink, but to wrap in tea towels and take to bed at night.
- Calippos. At least one a day, orange for preference but strawberry is nice too.
- Carry an old fashioned fan and while away your horrible journey imagining you’re in Bridgerton. These are apparently very big on the fashion show front rows at the moment. This may be the only time I’ve been ahead of the trend, as I’ve had them in my handbag for years
- Water sprays and an electric fan at night. Spray yourself, not the fan. This is important.
- Consider alternative routes home if the tube is rammed. Think of it as an adventure. The overground lines are airconditioned.
- Think seriously about moving to a polar region.
- Cool showers before bed, but not cold.
- Soak a tea towel in cold water and drape it round your neck (or over your entire body, but you’d need a bigger towel) and lie in a dark room. Science, apparently. Evaporation. Whatever.
- Try not to touch a single other person with any part of your body.
- Glare intensely at anyone who suggests holding meetings outside.
- Listen to summer music and put ice in everything
Good luck!
Things making me happy this week
- Crocheting ridiculous things – floppy cats and guinea pigs in varying sizes. Chenille yarn is so squishy.
- Finally getting to deliver the Little Owls storytime at work – The Tiger Who Came to Tea this week – and planning next week’s activity
- Walking through the fields with a very well-behaved Dobby, who didn’t bark at anything for a change
- Not the local bus services
- A solo mooch round Brentwood on Monday, trawling the charity shops
- Helping Thing 2 apply for apprenticeships
- Rewatching The Commitments and introducing Thing 2 to this gem, after the sad loss of Glen Hansard this week (and Sam Neill and Bill Oddie in July as well – enough, 2026, enough!). Go and watch Once if you haven’t seen it again…
What I’ve been reading
Everything Will Swallow You – Tom Cox
The Rainshadow Orphans – Naomi Ishiguro
The Woman in the Seal Skin – Lauren Keegan
A Court of Mist and Fury – Sarah J. Maas (Audible)
What Kirsty did next 