I have heard that the UK has had some rather good weather this summer, although not consistent blue sky and sunshine like we get in Spain. Though our summer has been a bit strange, more cloud than normal and some bouts of rain. Recently we had a thunderstorm where the rain was lashing down, and the thunder was really loud. However, we did not have it as badly as Caravaca and Murcia, which are to the north of us, they had severe rainfall and flooding. Perhaps global warming is affecting our weather.
I know quite a few ex-pats who retreat back to the UK in July and August, to miss the 30-degree temperatures, and opt for a gentler climate, with green fields and the less brutal heat, though of course they may well have to put up with grey skies, cloudy days and rain, amongst the odd summer days of sunshine.
Nonetheless, generally it is hot in Spain in the summer. One would think that, as we live in an old Spanish building that has been reformed, we would have a lovely cool house in the summer, but this is not true. I think whoever reformed this house, knew nothing about Spanish buildings, and they did a poor job. We still have roofs that leak when the rain is heavy, and although the windows are not big, the heat seems to permeate into the house.
The only solution is to do what the Spanish do. First thing in the morning they open up the doors and windows and let some fresh air in. Then, as soon as the sun has come up and starts to shine on the house, you close everything, doors, windows and shutters, sealing the house up tight against that ferociously hot sun.
However, our house still gets very warm, so I turn on the ceiling fans, and the stand fan keeps us cool in the dining room or kitchen. In fact, at the moment the stand fan also comes into our bedroom at night, as the ceiling fan is not sufficient to cool the room. The front door is left slightly ajar to allow Luca to go out if he needs to, the back door is shut and all the windows except for the one over the sink, are shut. I think I have become that revered Spanish institution, la Abuela (the grandmother), because as we all know, she knows best!
Most evenings we sit out on the back patio, eating our meals on John's days off work, or just enjoying a cool drink on the other evenings. Also, of course, we cool off in the pool, it is sheer heaven to jump in or climb sedately down the steps in my case! I know it is called a swimming pool, but I am afraid not much swimming goes on, with the use of noodles, we float around, enjoying the refreshing water reducing our body temperatures.
Do you have hot summers where you are? How do you cope, any different ways to mine, please let me know!
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