Got up this morning surprised that I could move & was fairly pain-free. this was a surprise, considering what I spent much of yesterday doing in the garden, and how I felt when I came inside.
Other than a supermarket run first thing I have not been outside much today. I have no idea what the official temperature has been for this bit of the coast, but it has been baking hot in the sun, and icily cold in the shade in my garden. How do the meteorologists work out a temperature with such contrasts within a metre or two?
All temperatures taken for records of air temperature are taken in the shade. Any temperature gauges that are recording temperatures in the sun will be affected by the sun's radiation and the temperature during that period will appear significantly hotter.
Hot here too - I followed the shade to do my gardening. Then coffee with a friend on the patio. Very pleasant.
Grr. Walked to the supermarket and just missed my bus back - I'm sure he could have waited! However the exercise will have done me good, especially as coming home is mostly uphill.
Our hotel is about a half a mile level walk from the town centre, then either a steep road uphill, or many steps. After much time on our feet yesterday, we decided to take a taxi back, which was cheaper than the cost of two ice creams.
My favourite Italian restaurant offers some lovely ice-cream/sorbet desserts at similarly eye-watering prices, but O! how well they slip down after a proper Italian lunch, cooked by Italians, and accompanied by Italian WINE..
Plain ol'COTTAGE PIE for lunch in Arkland the Noisy, where a number of denizens are taking advantage of the lovely weather (hot again - about 22C at the moment, and maybe up to 28C tomorrow ) to do some outdoor work on their Arks. One or two are using power tools, but I've also heard the familiar sound of Hammers bashing away at recalcitrant bits of metal or wood...
Lovely here too. My new office in the garden is great, east-west facing so it gets warm but not overwhelmingly so and the lovely sound of birds twittering. I do have air conditioning if needed though, via an air source heat pump.
A very productive day, I did my admin, marked some essays (the last of the grief batch) and wrote a short conference presentation about my research. Now I am having a break before teaching from 6.30 for 2 hours.
Mr Nen and I have been away on a mini overnight break which has been very nice - lots of sitting in the garden reading and no cooking for Nen, which is always a good thing.
High of 22°C here. Spent the morning weeding the little path that runs from the lawn to the gravel/shade corner. After lunch dozed happily in the summerhouse until the sun through glass made my feet too hot. After that just sat for an hour looking at the garden. Difficult to think the summer will bring anything to top it.
That looks good, I will get Mr Heavenly on to it as our rhubarb plants are currently looking like monsters.
High of 26 here today.
Now finished all the marking and formal lecturing on my youth module, 2 more modules to go. Might have a glass of wine to celebrate.
Very warm here today 24 degrees or so. We went Rambling this morning, a lovely walk with lots of views and a stretch along side an old railway line. This evening I have been out to a planning meeting which are always surprisingly fun.
I'm hiding in my study as my husband has a discussion group with local Quakers in our front room.
I need to go to bed early as I've got things on all day tomorrow.
Too hot for me today. Out in the garden from 7-9 then inside for a late breakfast and, after popping out to water the rhubarb and the big plant pots, only had the occasional trip outside to hang washing on the line.
Didn't get to do much of what I had intended to do in the garden, but washed & dried four 'throws' from the living room chairs, so at least made some use of the horrible weather.
I'm off to vote shortly. It'll be the start of a busy day. From there I'm going to my lip-reading class, then lunch somewhere before my charity bookshop shift. A quick cup of coffee and off to knock up the vote for one of our candidates. If I'm lucky I'll be home for some food before heading off to the verification of the ballot boxes at 10.00pm. I'm not sure how long that will take but I'm back there tomorrow for the actual count. I have a horrible feeling Reform are going to do well round here
Yoga this morning then coffee with the ladies. I’ve done my daily check in with work and have just voted.
My next batch of essays have arrived for marking but I’m taking my day off for a change and doing some study instead. This week’s study topic is sex and generation in the early modern period.
It is absurdly hot here again today. It being a public holiday (Labour Day), we have been to the swimming pool, and then to a very nice brasserie for steak and CHIPS, followed by Dame blanche (a real old-fashioned Parisian brasserie thing - vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce and Chantilly).
Arkland the Warm hasn't quite reached the 29C They predicted for parts of the county, but our 25C (with a light onshore breeze from the North Sea) is very pleasant.
Round here they have some classes called Yogalates and for a long time I thought it was a yoga class followed by coffee together.
I went to a Pilates class this week for the first time and actually enjoyed it far more than I thought I would, having tried it years ago and not got on with it at all. Similarly, I tried yoga a long while ago and didn't get on with it. I think with both these things a lot depends on the teacher.
I went out for coffee with friends this morning and did some shopping, all on foot, came home Far Too Hot and am only just now cooling down. I do need to go out again to vote.
Then it will be starting to pack a bag as Mr Nen and I are away on a retreat for the weekend in Cornwall. We've been to the place before and the food is wonderful, so I am keeping well away from the Ship's thread on Health and Fitness until we get back and I've got myself and my eating habits in hand again. I actually did pretty well over Lent but it's all gone pear-shaped since Easter when I was let loose on the chocolate... not that I wasn't pear-shaped before...
I actually quite enjoy my Pilates sessions, once I get there - partly due, I think, as @Nenya suggests, to the positive attitude of my ever-cheerful Torturer...
She has a way of getting me to go beyond my pain threshold, whilst being encouraging and complimentary at the same time IYSWIM.
Today, however, the delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) has manifested itself, a little later than usual, and my Legs are telling me that occasional siestas are a Very Good Idea. A few hours of pottering about the Ark, doing odd bits of Tidy Ing and Clean Ing, interspersed with siestas, have therefore ensued.
There is CHEESE (a ripe Brie, in fact) and some WINE for later, after another siesta...
You sound like Queen Elizabeth (of England!) who allegedly declared that she'd have a bath once a year "whether she needed it or not".
I think it was once a month. Bear in mind that at the time baths were regarded as medicinal. And of course people washed.
Reminds me of visiting Herrenchiemsee, the last of Ludwig's palaces, where the bath is a replica of a Roman one, and so large you descend steps and walk across it. The guide was saying 'In the nine days the King lived here the bath was not used'. Horrified whisper from the back - Nine days without a bath!
This morning it was a cool 13 degrees, with low cloud, but by 2pm the sun was fully out and apart from a sea breeze, it is very pleasant on the Isle of Bute. Home tomorrow.
Quite a bit cooler in West Lothian too: max of 17°, but still very pleasant. Ambled over to Tessie's at lunchtime to get some more salad things in for supper; their Finest range includes a rather nice Tabbouleh, decent coleslaw and a pasta Caesar salad, and I teamed them up with half a mini quiche Lorraine and some cold meat.
Better pootle off now - Vestry meeting in half an hour ...
Still uncomfortably hot here; all upstairs windows open to try and catch a non-existent breeze.
No packing has yet been achieved. I've put a few items on the spare bed to be packed in the morning. I'd rather start early than try and do it tonight when I'm tired.
We have been to a splendid orchesral concert which included the premiere of a new concerto by Sir James Macmillan. The Stravinsky pieces were, we thought, outstanding.
We have been to a splendid orchesral concert which included the premiere of a new concerto by Sir James Macmillan. The Stravinsky pieces were, we thought, outstanding.
Another horribly hot day.
I had a chiropodists appointment this morning - the only one available when I booked was at 08:45, which I thought I'd struggle to make, but turned out to be a blessing as I was home before it got too hot.
Managed some work in the garden, cutting back an overgrown forsythia by about a third. I worked on the shady side, and Mr RoS stayed on the sunny side, so we were both comfortable.
It looks dreadful atm, but they grow back very quickly.
We have some unexpected rain last night which was good, and reflects my mood this morning. I was at the verification for the votes in our bit of our county council last night, and it looks like Nigel Farage is going to be a happy man today
We have some unexpected rain last night which was good, and reflects my mood this morning. I was at the verification for the votes in our bit of our county council last night, and it looks like Nigel Farage is going to be a happy man today
Today, maybe - but let's see how well his people actually perform do at running any councils they may win...(full results aren't expected until later today, I think).
Shame about Runcorn, though. A dozen more Labour voters, and it would be a different story.
We have been to a splendid orchesral concert which included the premiere of a new concerto by Sir James Macmillan. The Stravinsky pieces were, we thought, outstanding.
Another mostly Sun-Shiny day in Arkland the Temperate, though likely to be a bit cooler over the weekend.
Our Town is hosting a popular annual Festival, starting tomorrow, which brings out crowds and traffic, so I made a brief Expotition to Tess Coe today, and was pleasantly surprised to get in and out of the store in 20 minutes...
I made a brief Expotition to Tess Coe today, and was pleasantly surprised to get in and out of the store in 20 minutes...
I often make an early visit to Another Retailer. However it opens at 7.30am and, although I walk down, I like to get the bus back. This is due to depart at 7.43am, and the bus stop is 3 minutes' walk from the store.
You can do the arithmetic, and the bus is usually a couple of minutes late. On Wednesday it was on time and I (just!) missed it - I'm sure that the exercise was good for me!
Well done - though I suspect you're able to sprint around the store at a somewhat faster pace than I can manage!
It helps if, as happened today, there was a checkout free, with no-one in front of me. If there is a queue, and especially if the customers have huge trolley-loads of goods, I hie me to the self-service machines, and plaintively ask one of the Nice Ladies there to do the job for me...
The supermarket I go to isn't huge; at that time of day all the checkouts are self-service and most people (including myself) are doing fairly small shops.
This morning I walked to the supermarket in the other direction (same distance) which is much larger (and cheaper), and was lucky with the bus. Admittedly those go into the city and are pentiful at that time of day.
Our Tess Coe (a smallish one) opens at 6am - not that I'm likely to want to go shopping in the wee small hours - but I wonder if perhaps they have only the Engines of Satan self-service checkouts operating at that time of night?
Today is not a great day. My ward and county council have gone from Bad to Worse - Tory to Reform.
Indeed, though there is a certain inevitability about Reform's apparent success. However, ISTM that they are more than likely to make just as much a mess of things as the Tories - not that that's anything other than very cold comfort.
Our Tess Coe (a smallish one) opens at 6am - not that I'm likely to want to go shopping in the wee small hours - but I wonder if perhaps they have only the Engines of Satan self-service checkouts operating at that time of night?
The store is still a Pilchard-Free Zone, alas.
My "other" supermarket (not Tesco!) also opens at 6am (used to be open all night). The problem there is that the arrival of newspapers can be very erratic. They're supposed to have them before they open, but often they don't arrive until 7am or even later (Mondays and Saturdays are the worst). On such days a trip is a Wasted Journey, even if other shopping can be procured. Also, the instore bakery doesn't start putting out its wares until after 7 o'clock - which is fair enough (and better than the Posh Bakery I sometimes nip into on a Saturday, which often doesn't have its croissants baked until 9; that seems late for a breakfast food!)
Today is not a great day. My ward and county council have gone from Bad to Worse - Tory to Reform.
I feel your pain @KarlLB. I never thought I'd stand at a count and think 'Oh good the Conservative looks like they're winning.' We had some brilliant candidates with lots of experience, instead we now have a load of inexperienced people who have no clue about what County Councils actually do and who are waiting for Farage to tell them what their policies are.
Comments
Other than a supermarket run first thing I have not been outside much today. I have no idea what the official temperature has been for this bit of the coast, but it has been baking hot in the sun, and icily cold in the shade in my garden. How do the meteorologists work out a temperature with such contrasts within a metre or two?
Yes - I have asked Me Google.
Hot here too - I followed the shade to do my gardening. Then coffee with a friend on the patio. Very pleasant.
Sundaes (and knickerbocker glories) at our local parlour are quite pricey (but well worth it!): https://tinyurl.com/5xba8at4
Plain ol'COTTAGE PIE for lunch in Arkland the Noisy, where a number of denizens are taking advantage of the lovely weather (hot again - about 22C at the moment, and maybe up to 28C tomorrow
Not that I've noticed, though I know what you mean!
A very productive day, I did my admin, marked some essays (the last of the grief batch) and wrote a short conference presentation about my research. Now I am having a break before teaching from 6.30 for 2 hours.
In Other News - It's Too Hot.
Our bedroom will be hot though - it's in the roof space. The fan has been brought out in readiness.
Salad for supper ... again.
Rhubarb is finally available, and tonight I served this. Twas very yummy.
High of 26 here today.
Now finished all the marking and formal lecturing on my youth module, 2 more modules to go. Might have a glass of wine to celebrate.
I'm hiding in my study as my husband has a discussion group with local Quakers in our front room.
I need to go to bed early as I've got things on all day tomorrow.
Didn't get to do much of what I had intended to do in the garden, but washed & dried four 'throws' from the living room chairs, so at least made some use of the horrible weather.
At any rate, that's the beauty regime done for another year.
My next batch of essays have arrived for marking but I’m taking my day off for a change and doing some study instead. This week’s study topic is sex and generation in the early modern period.
Arkland the Warm hasn't quite reached the 29C They predicted for parts of the county, but our 25C (with a light onshore breeze from the North Sea) is very pleasant.
Round here they have some classes called Yogalates and for a long time I thought it was a yoga class followed by coffee together.
I went to a Pilates class this week for the first time and actually enjoyed it far more than I thought I would, having tried it years ago and not got on with it at all. Similarly, I tried yoga a long while ago and didn't get on with it. I think with both these things a lot depends on the teacher.
I went out for coffee with friends this morning and did some shopping, all on foot, came home Far Too Hot and am only just now cooling down. I do need to go out again to vote.
Then it will be starting to pack a bag as Mr Nen and I are away on a retreat for the weekend in Cornwall. We've been to the place before and the food is wonderful, so I am keeping well away from the Ship's thread on Health and Fitness until we get back and I've got myself and my eating habits in hand again. I actually did pretty well over Lent but it's all gone pear-shaped since Easter when I was let loose on the chocolate... not that I wasn't pear-shaped before...
She has a way of getting me to go beyond my pain threshold, whilst being encouraging and complimentary at the same time IYSWIM.
Today, however, the delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) has manifested itself, a little later than usual, and my Legs are telling me that occasional siestas are a Very Good Idea. A few hours of pottering about the Ark, doing odd bits of Tidy Ing and Clean Ing, interspersed with siestas, have therefore ensued.
There is CHEESE (a ripe Brie, in fact) and some WINE for later, after another siesta...
I think it was once a month. Bear in mind that at the time baths were regarded as medicinal. And of course people washed.
Reminds me of visiting Herrenchiemsee, the last of Ludwig's palaces, where the bath is a replica of a Roman one, and so large you descend steps and walk across it. The guide was saying 'In the nine days the King lived here the bath was not used'. Horrified whisper from the back - Nine days without a bath!
Better pootle off now - Vestry meeting in half an hour ...
No packing has yet been achieved. I've put a few items on the spare bed to be packed in the morning. I'd rather start early than try and do it tonight when I'm tired.
Was that broadcast on radio 3 tonight?
I had a chiropodists appointment this morning - the only one available when I booked was at 08:45, which I thought I'd struggle to make, but turned out to be a blessing as I was home before it got too hot.
Managed some work in the garden, cutting back an overgrown forsythia by about a third. I worked on the shady side, and Mr RoS stayed on the sunny side, so we were both comfortable.
It looks dreadful atm, but they grow back very quickly.
Today, maybe - but let's see how well his people actually perform do at running any councils they may win...(full results aren't expected until later today, I think).
Shame about Runcorn, though. A dozen more Labour voters, and it would be a different story.
Yes.
Our Town is hosting a popular annual Festival, starting tomorrow, which brings out crowds and traffic, so I made a brief Expotition to Tess Coe today, and was pleasantly surprised to get in and out of the store in 20 minutes...
FISH PIE for Lunch, and very tasty it was.
You can do the arithmetic, and the bus is usually a couple of minutes late. On Wednesday it was on time and I (just!) missed it - I'm sure that the exercise was good for me!
It helps if, as happened today, there was a checkout free, with no-one in front of me. If there is a queue, and especially if the customers have huge trolley-loads of goods, I hie me to the self-service machines, and plaintively ask one of the Nice Ladies there to do the job for me...
This morning I walked to the supermarket in the other direction (same distance) which is much larger (and cheaper), and was lucky with the bus. Admittedly those go into the city and are pentiful at that time of day.
The store is still a Pilchard-Free Zone, alas.
Indeed, though there is a certain inevitability about Reform's apparent success. However, ISTM that they are more than likely to make just as much a mess of things as the Tories - not that that's anything other than very cold comfort.
My "other" supermarket (not Tesco!) also opens at 6am (used to be open all night). The problem there is that the arrival of newspapers can be very erratic. They're supposed to have them before they open, but often they don't arrive until 7am or even later (Mondays and Saturdays are the worst). On such days a trip is a Wasted Journey, even if other shopping can be procured. Also, the instore bakery doesn't start putting out its wares until after 7 o'clock - which is fair enough (and better than the Posh Bakery I sometimes nip into on a Saturday, which often doesn't have its croissants baked until 9; that seems late for a breakfast food!)
Pilchards are available here ...
I feel your pain @KarlLB. I never thought I'd stand at a count and think 'Oh good the Conservative looks like they're winning.' We had some brilliant candidates with lots of experience, instead we now have a load of inexperienced people who have no clue about what County Councils actually do and who are waiting for Farage to tell them what their policies are.