Back to our usual kind of blog today and some rambling thoughts from yours truly at his desk where someone has just been letting off bangers or shooting at pigeons right next door, at least that’s what it sounded like. No sounds of protesting animals so don’t think it was someone getting self-sufficient already. No doubt that will come in time.
But still, what’s been happening chez Symi Dream these past couple of days? Well, not a lot really. Same old same old as they say. Work, writing and work. I’ve now reached 114,000 words in ‘Straight Swap’ and am still in the finale area, with a lot yet to happen.
The weather has been pleasant, up in the high 20s with a slight breeze, so not feeling too bad most of the time. I’ve been looking at some of the reports from the UK (the screaming press never fail to amuse) about the heatwave being experienced there. I love the way a rise in temperatures brings out the British caution: ‘How to tell if you have heat stroke’, ‘Ten essentials you must know to avoided death in 28 degrees’, ‘How to tell if your elderly relative is dehydrated or perhaps already dead,’ and those horribly worded post headlines on Facebook, ‘He thought it was just a bit of sun and then he went outside, you will be shocked at what happens next.’ No I won’t and don’t tell me what to feel. (If you don’t do Facebook then, a) sorry you missed the point of that one, and b) good for you!)
Yes, I know it’s a serious problem for some and the UK is not used to it, and definitely do not leave dogs, cats, your granny, in a car with no air or water, and always park in the shade, and never leave the house without factor 150 on, just in case the sun pops through a cloud. But ela re! As the Greeks would say. When it snows the country grinds to a halt. When it rains everything gets flooded. When there’s some sun everyone fears instant death from solar flares! My advice for those suffering ‘extreme’ weather is to stay out of it as much as possible, stay calm, drink water (or, in cases of a snow flurry, a little hot chocolate) and stop being led by the tabloid headlines like sheep to the sheep dip.
So, my early week amusement was once again caused by the overreaction of the Brits, and Greeks actually but that’s another story I’m not going to get into. And I hope my rambling here don’t offend anyone other those who might benefit from a little offending from time to time. I guess we’re just used to dealing with 45 + degrees here, and high humidity. It was warm on Tuesday night and there were times when the harbour was all hazy with the humidity. We’re sitting on towels on the sofa with the windows are open and the cat is not allowed anywhere near, he’s too warm. (We’ve been brushing him and now have enough fur for a small Chesterfield.) Mind you, the duvet is still on the bed and gets used in the early hours.
Other rambles: Anyone been to Hungary? I was thinking of saving for a trip there, having seen a little of Romania. Budapest I know is a recommended visit, but anywhere else in the rest of the country? I was thing of a couple of nights in the capital and a couple in the countryside as we did in Romania. A little holiday planning and browsing, and dreaming, helps keep you going through the Te Deum, sorry, tedium of working life, especially when it’s hot.
Think that’s enough for now, there are things to be getting on with. Stuffing the new sofa with Jack fur for one, hoovering the furniture for the left over fur is another. And if you want my serious tips for dealing with hot weather: drink at least three litres of bottled water a day, stay out of the sun as much as possible, keep to the shade, wear strong sun block if you are in the sun, eat regularly, don’t over exert yourself. Avoid alcohol (no, seriously, even beer), avoid coffee, tea and things that make you wee, and go slow. If in doubt, book a holiday to Greece in July and August and local folk will show you how it’s done. Be sensible!
