Sweltering.

I was back in school this afternoon. I can't say I was teaching simply keeping 30 children occupied (actually they occupied themselves very well by drawing, playing literacy and numeracy games on the pcs or playing with Lego outside in the shade). I also had another 30 children sat on the carpet watching 'Mary Poppins' on the main whiteboard. I had given my class a choice of what they wanted to do but the other class came with a TA and the instructions to watch the DVD so that's what they did. 

Coming home the countryside looks somewhat toasted. Most years everything is a lot greener from the frequent rain. For quite a few years this would be the weekend I would drive the boys eastward to scout camp and I would always be surprised at how dry everything looked as we left Devon. On the Somerset plains there would be golden fields of ripe wheat, something we hardly see here, and as we crossed into Hampshire there would be sandy commons so unlike our squelchy moorland.

At home Speedy was making the most of the sun while Squeaky chose to sit in the shade of the chimney.

Before I went out to sit in the sun I finished off a little DIY that I had started in the morning - putting a catch on the cupboard door under the sink. That's where we keep the kitchen bin which our cats would love to raid. Up till now we've had a Heath Robinson type of catch made from a keyring hook and some wire but it was awkward to use and fell apart every now and again. I had a brainwave and bought a childproof cupboard lock. I mean how cleaver could those cats be? It did the job until constant use made the adhesive pads come unstuck. So I fixed it firmly on to the wooden cupboard door with a couple of screws. The very next morning I found the plastic latch broken (and it wasn't the cats) so today I put on an old fashioned hook and eye. Not such a simple job as due to the way the door was on I had to screw 2 pieces of wood to the side of the cupboard to get the hook to go into the eye. But it does the job now even if there are a few extra holes in the cupboard door.

Category 3.

When I came home from work today it was 38C in the shade and 48C in the sun. The south-west is now officially in a category 3 heatwave along with other parts of the country. ( more info ). It was bearable at school with all the doors and windows open but we were all somewhat lethargic. And guess what? Some children still don't have sun hats!

My morning was similar to yesterday, breakfast in the sun followed by a stint of plaster hacking. Then the bliss of a shower and sitting outside to dry my hair. At one point I heard a great humming in the trees. It sounded like one of the monster B movies we are so fond of. I have to be a bit careful of bees as my reaction has got worse each time I've been stung but I never did see what it was.

                                     

Sunny.

Still warm and I'm still loving it. Only 3 afternoons at work and then it will be the summer holidays. This morning I hacked away at the awful plaster on the wall of the shelter. Only one section left to do, on that wall at least. I had a pleasant afternoon at school. The children all seemed worn out after their day on the beach yesterday. I had to do some writing with both the Year 1 class and the reception children but only with a couple of children at a time so it was all very relaxed. 

I was worried that my Rambling Rector rose might have been hit by the harsh winter but at last the flowers have appeared, sprawled over a couple of trees.

 This part of the garden must surely be for the fairies.

Still Hot.

I felt drained today after all yesterday's turmoil so I was very glad to have a quiet day at home. Even though it was overcast in the morning it soon warmed up. Having waited several years for this amount of sun and knowing that it could leave us any day I was determined to spend as much time as possible out in the garden. 

I spent a lot of time just sitting and reading but I did manage to do some more tidying up in the outbuildings. The old pump room will have to wait until autumn as the swallows nesting on that side get quite agitated if I'm in the doorway through which they swoop. I will try at least to sort out the back wall of the shelter. There is still a little plaster to be chipped off before I slap on some white paint and then I'll mount the mirrors so that it will look as if there is an archway through into another garden. 

A pair of blackbirds have discovered the redcurrant bush and in 2 days have eaten nearly every red berry. I was enjoying snacking on my all-you-can-eat bush every time I went into the hen run. I bet they'll have the raspberries when they ripen too.

Closure.

After waiting 6 months the Belfast coroner has finally made her report. She found that Linas suffered from myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscles usually caused by a viral infection. The virus could be anything from a sore throat virus to chicken pox, Lyme disease or a host of others. But it could also have been due to a bacterial infection.

At least we know now that there was nothing any of us could have done. It really was just one of those things. Also it frees us from that niggling doubt. If as we thought, it had been due to an overdose of his migraine medication, then we would never have been completely sure that it was accidental. And there would always have been the thought that maybe it would have been different if someone had been there.

Today has brought back the heartbreak but I know that it will also makes acceptance a little easier. 

Still Hot.

It's been yet another hot day but there is a lot of high cloud which might be a sign that things are changing. At the moment there is a nice breeze blowing so we'll eat our dinner outside and make the most of this lovely weather. My day started well with a chat to Vytas on Skype. It's so good to see him and chat even though he is on the other side of the world.

Peter has spent most of the morning out on the river as they were doing taster sessions, where people can come and have a go to see if they like rowing. After a couple hours doing that they went out for proper race training so he came home happy but worn out.

While there was still some shade I went out and did some strimming at the top of the garden and along the road. As I was sending bits of brambles and stinging nettles flying in all directions I had to be covered from head to toe which got rather hot when I was out of the shade. I noticed the little pond had nearly dried up so I got out the hose and filled it from the garden tap. Our water is from a bore hole so there are no chemicals in it. While the pond was filling I also did some weeding but now that I've had a shower I shall just sit outside and enjoy the sun.

55C Again.

I could get used to this lovely weather, sunny all day and warm at night. Neither of us had to go out today so we've had a relaxing day at home. The washing machine has been constantly on the go but I'm running out of things to wash.

While Peter mowed the grass I started tidying up the outbuildings by the scree garden. The large covered area in the middle is perfect for escaping the rain (it's bound to happen sooner or later), and it was cooler working in the shade. I'm going to have to make a few more visits to the dump especially as I decided to get rid of the bikes, frames, spare wheels and tyres that occupy one section. I think it must be at least 10 years since I sorted everything out, banged in nails so the wheels could hang up tidily etc and I don't think they have been touched since. I might keep Romas' old mountain bike but there's no point in hanging onto stuff that is going rusty.