We're Having A Heat Wave !

 

Dear friends and family from Cyprus to California, from Sheffield to New Zealand have been getting in touch to ask if we’re okay, given media attention to Greek heat wave and wildfires. 

 We are very grateful for everyone’s concern and are fortunate in that, so far, there have been no fires in our immediate area, and fortunate to have those wonderful firefighters and volunteers working tirelessly and selflessly to keep everyone safe.

 It’s also at times like these that one despairs of some fellow men. Frequently every day official announcements are made warning of fire risk, banning entrance to forest areas, etc. So a group of friends are found in a wooded area, with a barbecue going full blast, while drivers are seen chucking lit cigarettes out of car windows. :o Tragic mindsets with tragic consequences!!

As I say, fortunately no fires, but the heatwave – we got that! And it’s a case of history repeating itself. In 2000 when we moved here, it was one of the hottest months recorded.  And now, as we pack and prepare to move house – arggh – these temperatures are not conducive to heavy work, believe me! Above you can see how even in the early morning the heat is with us - there’s no cool-down time. And it’s the Real Feel that is of most concern. Z and I went shopping the other day and, returning at 5pm, what with additional asphalt and urban heat retention, our car thermometer recorded 42oC. Now that for me was what I remember on the odd occasion in Kuwait.  I have never before experienced this phenomenon in Greece. Ever.

As a linguist I am intrigued by the language used to describe these conditions: Very Hot is the common degree of heat, and we see Extreme Heat being used fairly often, but 42 is deemed Dangerous Heat. We are warned of the possible danger of dehydration and heatstroke while doing strenuous activities.

The sunshine is referred to as blazing and even sizzling- and I have certainly felt that I was a sausage being heat-basted!  Heat indicators for us: we mask up the kitchen window to prevent the morning sunshine pushing our fridge into overdrive, the door keys are hot to the touch. It looks as if I’m constantly doing the laundry, but what we have are changes of clothes out to dry off – nightie, damp; clothes used to work in, wet; swimwear, dripping.

Our cats obviously are feeling the heat and instinctively drawn to cooler places, remaining as inactive as possible. We have the a/c on … can you tell??

Like us they don’t have much of an appetite so these days breakfast consists of fingerfuls of tasty Greek yoghurt – creamy and cool.