Heatwave?

The much vaunted Bank Holiday heatwave continues apace in Edinburgh with a wet cloying haar hanging low over the city, trees dripping moisture and temperatures requiring scarves and gloves.
Still, it was ideal weather for running a Marathon but obviously not for seeing the wondrous landmarks promised on the publicity site as the entrants disappeared into the mist on their way to the coast. The returnees from the half marathon were clad in foil blankets to stop them dying from hypothermia.

The start was adjacent to the Dower House and I watched for almost 30 minutes as wave after wave of the 35,000 entrants started their 26.2 mile haul through the centre of Edinburgh and down the coast to near Longniddry finishing back in Musselburgh.

As I stood in the cold I felt nothing but relief that I had ticked that box and would not to have to run another marathon again, especially beside a rhino and even worse (and it did happen), be overtaken by one. How very demoralising.

Reading the Sunday papers and making a huge bean and vegetable stew is the way forward in a house with the heating on. With 3 weeks to go to midsummer will I ever feel warm again?

Of course how could I not be happy for the west coasters who are rubbing sun cream on to burning faces and reddened skin as they lie on sandy beaches and paddle and swim in blue sun kissed waters? It’s hard though.