Hi,
I do not ‘do’ hot weather. I’m very much a person who prefers to warm up, rather than to have to cool down. So it will not be a surprise that I have not really enjoyed the heat wave that’s been hanging around the UK for the last week.
However, it is just one of those things and you may as well be cross about it raining, than to grumble about the climate. I mean, it’s not like we weren’t warned Climate Change is happening right? 😏 So, this week, it’s been a number of earlier-than-usual starts and walking the hounds before the sun gets into its stride. Sure, that pinches the day a little – and not at a good time – but needs must.
Friends & Family
A short week this week with a non-working day to finish it off. I met up with an work buddy who made his escape at Christmas. We caught about about whatnot and conversation was delightfully random. Indeed, it seemed as if no time had passed since we last spoke. But, perhaps that’s the sign of a good friendship; that not only do you both make the effort, but that time goes quickly and you just seem to click.
On a family note, the Ever Lovely Mrs J and Child 2.0 are out on an early long weekend together. Well, more of a busman’s holiday, given that they are visiting some open days at higher education. From the texts and calls on the road I’ve had, it sounds like it’s been very positive, and they’re enjoying the time out together. Well, as much as you can when your doing a lot of miles in the car.
T minus
With the summer in roast mode, there was no way I was risking time out in Lynn mode. I had hoped that their might be a last minute shift in the heat, as the British weather loves to surprise you! – but no, it has remained too warm for fancy stuff.
Yes, I might have taken the car with the aircon on full tilt, and then scuttled into a nearby shopping centre; but that didn’t come to pass. In truth, the hot summer pushes such choices to one side, and while the want to be yourself remains, practicality remains key.
So, rather than looking at the negative of a ‘chance lost’, I’m taking it easy and keeping my fluid intake up, napping in the afternoon, and walking the hounds in the cooler morning. It’s a nice change and as luck would have it, out old house’s thick walls help keep the worst of the summer heat outside.
Keeps & Returns
This week a new-to-me pair of sandals arrived from Vinted, and I’m hoping that next Thursday might be a chance to wear them. I’ve still got a bad of clothes & shoes to pass along to a charity shop, so maybe that’s a job for Saturday.
There’s also the recycle-by-post of the laser printer cartridges, and the return of some Amazon gubbins. Yeah, I took a risk on two vests and neither are quite me. There’s also a USB to HDMI gadget to allow a second monitor which needs to go back. The latter is okay, but having tested it out, I’m not 100% it actually helps. Thankfully, returns are easy and the Post Office is on the way to the pet treat shop, so not a wasted journey.
So not a huge amount going on, but that should be a good thing….. Oh, some good news from the Good Law Project about EHRC backs down on single-sex toilets. That’s a bit of a too short headline, but it does the job and the detail is in the post. This doesn’t mean a reversal of fortune – in a positive way! – but, I think, the shift towards the necessary legal obligations. This may be a long one to restore, but this feels like a step in the right direction around equality.
L x
Honestly? I used to love the heat back when I was living in full boy mode. Tank top, sweaty and happy. But now that I actually care what I look like? Girl mode in a heat wave is just… no. The makeup melts, the clothes cling, and I’m one thigh-chafe away from a breakdown. 😂
Also crossing fingers those Vinted sandals get their moment soon—they sound adorable!
And yes to that EHRC update. One small step, but I’ll take it. 💜
I think the heat issue – for me, at least – is a mix of aging, climate, and clothing. I wear a hat with the sun is out, as – like my Dad – I’m thin on top, and scalps need protection. Thankfully I avoid the ‘office formal’ so that means I’m not stuffed into a shirt & long trousers, or synthetics.
Yet when I think about my femme wardrobe, often items are fitted – I don’t do ‘tight’ at my age, but men’s stuff is so frequently sack shaped. With the variety in colours and materials, I find myself having to watch for breathable clothes and I avoid synthetic fibres with possible. All that, and that’s before you get to padding, hair, and make-up.
Ack, chafing – although ‘chub rub’ undershorts help. Somehow the better ones help with cooling. Not quite A/C for your nether regions, but it’ll help.
As to the sandals: not entering my villain era, but my comfy shoe epoch 😁
I am sad to report that my own pair of chub rub shorts bought for a test failed on my first walk – by splitting no less – and then the resultant hole kept trapping skin so I’ve had to abandon. A shame, because, by rights, they ought to be amazing.
Humbug and double bah to short failure. I can vouch for the ‘boy shorts’ option as an alternative.
Lynn, let me know about the laser cartridge return. Does that also work for refills?
Too hot — much too hot — for tights, shapewear or slap (does remarkable impression of melting Wicked Witch of the West). Even a wig, which is absolute bare minimum for getting changed.
We are naturally early risers so the most productive part of the day is before 10 0r 11, especially in this heat. (Or would be if it weren’t for blasted Windows updates.)
Yeah, the idea of all those things on and the summer temperatures? Nah, that feels like heat exhaustion in the making. 🙂
So, toner returns: the manufacturer provides a free return service for the cartridges. It’s a case of the new one in, and pop the used one with the returns label; done. No postage costs which is a nice benefit. If they add that in to the cost of a new one, well I’ll not check that 🙂
We’re starting to get up earlier at the weekends. Partly because of the hot weather, but also to miss the crowds. One of our dogs doesn’t like busy places – and neither do I 😁 – so we head out to ensure a table in the quiet.
You have a whole shop for pet treats? It must be fun being a pet in Nottinghamshire! Eeyoop, pet!
Sorry about the heatwave as I know you suffer. Personally, I love warm weather although I confess it’s been a bit above optimum this past week. I hear the UK had its best spring ever, though.
Good to hear that the anti-trans situation is being whittled down bit by bit. A whole bunch of entirely random UK cis vloggers, commentators and others are speaking out against the TERFs, the government and the courts, I find.
Have a nice weekend.
Sue x
These middle class boroughs and pet treats eh? 🙂 It’s not a venue I would recommend if you have strong views about vegetarianism. I say that as someone who leans that way. But, I guess you can say the whole animal is being used.
There are pet food shops in the two nearby villages. The local one closed early, as folk didn’t make the effort to go. At two of the local food markets – generally bimonthly – there’s often a treat stall there too. I’m surprised there’s not one in Bridgford ‘cos it’s a bit posh, but maybe the markup can’t cover the rent…. or compete with coffee shops 😉
As to weather, there’s warm, there’s pleasant, and then there’s now; which isn’t either 😁 On the times we’ve been to hotter countries, they seem set up for it. Germany had mist sprays running in the parks. Florida had put in awnings and tree cover. Egypt had think stone walks, courtyards, and fountains. The Med seems to do stone floors, high ceilings, and shutters to keep the sun out. I wonder if Britain will catch up.
Spring has been very dry, so while okay for walking, it’s not be great for water levels in reservoirs. A mixed blessing.
Yes, the number of cis folk who are picking up on the GERM/TERF situation is growing. I think the recent ruling has really poked certain people in terms of kindness/fairness, and – to use and old term – enough is enough.
There also seems to be a growing trend that the “debate” – quotes intended – isn’t a discussion. Neither is it a zero sum game in which Group A lose rights, so Group B gain them. That’s a typical bias used by bad actors in a debate. As with much in life, it’s more nuanced and kindness matters.
I’m now intrigued as to what constitutes a pet treat, especially one where a whole animal is used. Chocolate-coated mice for pet cats, maybe?
“The Med seems to do stone floors, high ceilings, and shutters to keep the sun out. ” Exactly. My floors are porcelain, the ceilings are about 10 ft high, the shutters are low-absorbtion aluminium and there are big awnings too. Not to mention aircon in every room. In Mediterranean towns there are porticoes, colonnades, narrow shady streets, shops with awnings and cafés with vast umbrellas. The UK will need to adapt as climate change is such that by the end of the century people will likely be going on hippo safaris to the Humber. A shy but jovial creature is the Humber hippo and can be spotted waddling contentedly through the steamy Yorkshire banana groves.
Forgot to award plus points for happy goblin relaxing under mushrooms. It looks like it will be less torrid next week – you deserve a break.
Sue x
Thanks for the additional architectural wordage. I’ve noticed a few more coffee shops etc with awnings, and as a dog owner, sitting outside is an all year thing, so these help.
Not seeing much in terms of more Mediterranean changes, although white render now seems to be a thing for houses around here. I don’t get out & about enough to comment on the gradual changes to cities or building projects. I do know there’s movement towards buildings being more energy efficient. Hopefully that’ll include keeping them cool, rather than having to cool them.
Back in the 90s, I wondered if Nottingham might put a roof over the main shopping area streets. Back then, that was about avoiding the rain, but now it might be useful in shielding us from the heat of the sun.
I am wondering if solar panels on one side of the house might help reduce heat transfer into the upstairs. That and an awning – or external shutters – to stop the kitchen behind such a sun trap. Ah, money money money.
Firstly, apologies for my poor phraseology. I think it’s more accurate to say that if humans are going to eat animals, then using all of said creature is probably better, than wasting it. You could argue that ideally, we shouldn’t be, and maybe in decades to come, people will look back and think of resting meat as odd.
So, look away now those gentle souls amongst us.
The treat shops stock such -ahem- delicacies as ears and hide of rabbits, pigs, and cows. Rabbit fur is very good for doggo tummies, as it’s effectively fibre and and therefore a binding agent.
There’s also platted or ‘twists’ of fish skins, pig noses, chicken/duck necks, bull’s pizzles (yes, the winky!), and related, that’ll keep your pooch and/or doggo pack, happily chewing. The latter releases endorphins which helps them relax.