'IT'S A RECORD BREAKER' in the Languedoc
Anyone British of a certain age reading 'It's a record breaker' will hear it being said (or sung) in the voice of Roy Castle, entertainer, t.v. personality, hyperactive and really a bit of a pain! At least I thought so as a child (but I didn't dislike him anywhere near as much as Jimmy Saville, but that's hardly surprising).
Last night I read on the internet that this is the hottest June ever in France, so it must be true, certainly for northern parts of the country, the heat here in the south is high but not so exceptional in relation to 'normal' summer temperatures.
28 degrees is the daily norm on our north facing terrace where the thermometer never gets sun upon it, (and usually 22 degrees at 8a.m.) The pool thermometer if left out of the water goes off the scale, over 50 degrees.
So the past week has been pretty uneventful, as it's just too hot - an excuse - we are just too lazy - to do anything. Then on the one occasion we did go out for a walk, I was actually too cool!
When it is too hot you head for the hills, usually the Somail, directly above us, at about 1000metres, which to put into perspective was the height of the ski runs above our apartment in the Alps. Arriving at 10.30, sporting a strappy top, to a temperature in the car that had dropped to 20 degrees, I felt decidedly underdressed. It took a while walking under the shade of the trees to feel 'just nice' heat wise. There weren't many walkers about, but those that did appear had cardigans on, long sleeved t-shirts and even one hoody. But by picnic lunch time it was lovely and comfortable to sit in the sun and admire the view - of - trees, trees and more trees.
Last night I read on the internet that this is the hottest June ever in France, so it must be true, certainly for northern parts of the country, the heat here in the south is high but not so exceptional in relation to 'normal' summer temperatures.
28 degrees is the daily norm on our north facing terrace where the thermometer never gets sun upon it, (and usually 22 degrees at 8a.m.) The pool thermometer if left out of the water goes off the scale, over 50 degrees.
So the past week has been pretty uneventful, as it's just too hot - an excuse - we are just too lazy - to do anything. Then on the one occasion we did go out for a walk, I was actually too cool!
When it is too hot you head for the hills, usually the Somail, directly above us, at about 1000metres, which to put into perspective was the height of the ski runs above our apartment in the Alps. Arriving at 10.30, sporting a strappy top, to a temperature in the car that had dropped to 20 degrees, I felt decidedly underdressed. It took a while walking under the shade of the trees to feel 'just nice' heat wise. There weren't many walkers about, but those that did appear had cardigans on, long sleeved t-shirts and even one hoody. But by picnic lunch time it was lovely and comfortable to sit in the sun and admire the view - of - trees, trees and more trees.
My one complaint 'There's nothing to draw', after walking past banks of wild flowers we'd picked a pretty barren spot to stop. It took a bit of an imagination adjustment, having been prepared for some plump, vibrant thistles, to get into the potential of painting rocks.
Before adding colour.
Really can't get this taking photos of the sketch
and the subject at the same time malarkey licked.
It's now 5 days without a decent walk, and I think I'm getting a bit twitchy, so maybe today some exercise can put me right. The heat is now generating thunder and showers in the hills, walking could be a risky business!?
P.S. the walk is the easy 6.5km tour de Lac de Vesoles, takes less than 2 hours.
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