After not really delving into my blog for the last few months with life currently zooming at 100 mph, I've decided to pick up on something rather topical. The bloomin' British weather. Without a doubt the most unpredictable, unkind and unwavering characteristic of our Great British Isles.
Two to three months ago, without really realising, a very sly and unassuming weather front crawled onto our shores and blanketed us in the hottest and muggiest weather in my recent memory. Although effectively being the beginning of summer and with everyone having somewhat expected a decent amount of sun, no one could have foretold what this drought would do for everyone.
There will always be a solid group of people that sing this weathers praise due to the fashion and tan that offer themselves up. Also the introduction of BBQs, social gatherings and beach trips can become more frequent as the rainy spring and winter subside. Coinciding with schools breaking up, this can be an excellent time for a holiday, a family visit or even just spending time in your garden.
However, I can well and truly say that I'm not in this apparent majority of people. As a *ahem* (currently) slightly larger gentleman with a dubiously *tmi* large amount of body hair, I majorly struggle in the muggy, sweltering conditions this sort of weather brings up. With two elderly grandparents as well, this weather can be exhausting to complete everyday tasks. Whilst out catching the rays, we don't realise what can happen to the most fragile and at risk people. Tripling water intake can make up somewhat but weekly exercise and manual tasks can become laboured and the amount of sweat that pours out can be very hard to replenish.
Nature is also something that struggles. Using up valuable water resources leads to water shortages and hose pipe bans. Which luckily in Portsmouth, we haven't had this summer. Elsewhere, people have not been so lucky. With daily watering, my parent's garden has stayed green and lush, with sunflowers and grass continuously growing. This is in stark contrast to areas like Southsea Common which look somewhat like a desert. Yellowy hues blanket what usually is a rich green used for picnics and fairs alike.
This finally brings me to the rain. After suffering through heatstroke and a recent collapse, storms and rain ironically wash out the warm weather leaving nature replenished, our water sources topped up slightly and order resumes to a reasonable point. This is music to my ears personally as the exercise that I currently do weekly will not be as laboured and cause too much of an immediate danger to my health, the same with my grandparents. Yes, the sun can be glorious and wonderful for tans and social lives but you won't have growth, life and health without the rain.
If the weather reverts back to the muggy state we have been in please take care or yourselves and make sure you look out for those most frail.
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