Poppies

It is very difficult sleeping in this heat. Last night we had all the windows open for a cross breeze through the house, but still, by 6am I was too hot to try and sleep. I decided to go for a short run before the heat of the day intensified while there was a slight breeze - although it was 6.30am it was too hot so after about 10 minutes I turned back and got my camera instead, and walked back to take photos of roadside poppies and butterflies. Gavin joined me with Xena but then he had to rush back for a work phone call that he did not want to take on the side of the road, so Xena and I carried on for a bit, enjoying the skylarks singing their hearts out in the hedgerows.

It was too hot by 7.30 am so we went back home again. Today it reached 40C which is just awful. I know there have been some who have said what's the fuss, its only a bit of hot weather but I felt a little ill with the heat today and could not do much. As it was so hot, we packed up after breakfast, cleaned up and left to go home. The journey home was okay in the air conditioned car, but Xena was still panting like crazy. It reached 41C as we drove through Norfolk, such crazy temperatures.

When we got home the house was so hot, as I expected. It was pointless opening all the windows and doors as there was no breeze and the temperature outside was even worse. Luckily we have air conditioning in a few rooms and that was switched on. I never like to use it but today was a case of necessities must. When we bought the house and were told it had air conditioning I thought how unnecessary is that, we will never use it. But because the house is so hot with all the glass doors and big windows we find we do have to use it every summer. Poor Xena went outside and did not know what to do with herself, she was just standing under a tree panting. I brought her inside where she has remained trying to keep cool.

We unpacked, and now I am packing again and getting sorted to drive to Switzerland tomorrow. Thankfully it will be a bit cooler tomorrow. I am about the make some food for the journey (I hate the food in the motorway service areas in France) and then I must think about supper - tuna salad I think! It will be a lot cooler in the Swiss mountains