Monday 11th August 2025

So, the heatwave begins.

Temperatures expected to hit 28/82 degrees some days, higher inland.

Its on days like these that we're happy we live on the coast and up on the downs, where it is a few degrees cooler.

And its Monday. Again.

Somehow.

I set the alarm for six, as we planned to go to the gym. I had barely drunk my coffee when Jools announced she had got a space for swimming, so we much leave. NOW!

So we drove to Whitfield, I dropped her off at the door so she could get full use of the hour, while I parked, walked to the entrance and logged in, before going upstairs to ride the bike.

For entertainment, the machine showed a clime of Col de Colombière, though half hour session did not get me to the top, but through the village at the tree line. Neither did it feel like I was riding up a 1:10 or close slope.

Jools was still swimming when I was done, so I made use of the time to go to Tesco for fuel and go round doing the weekly big shop.

A few years back, a twin back of espresso was a little over seven quid, now its nearly seventeen!

I get what we need/like, though most need, and still comes to north of one fifty!

Eeek.

Outside, Jols was waiting at the car having walked from the sports centre. So, once loaded the bags, we could go home.

We have breakfast, another brew after putting the shopping away, by which time it was too darn hot to do anything much.

We sat under the shelter at the bottom of the garden, always cooler in the mornings, where we watered the wilting flowers and harvested more runner beans.

Bacon butties for lunch, then sit on the top patio as the shadows had lengthened, and it was cool enough to sit there.

I cooked baked cod loin with lemon and thyme for dinner, along with boiled baby new potatoes and steamed corn.

It was so hot cooking, with it being hotter on Tuesday, no way am I cooking.

In the evening we water more, happy that the garden is good for a couple of days, but looking at the forecast, no real rain expected until after the Bank Holiday.

Again, we sat outside watching the waning moon rise, though cloud covered most of the sky, we saw it rise, angry and red like Mars, ready to wage war.

I finished my wine and we went to bed.,