Summer Solstice

~ beetleypete

(This post is another moan about the weather. If you are bored with those, please skip it.)

Today is the Longest Day. The Summer Solstice, Midsummer’s Day. Whatever anyone calls it, it is the 21st of June, and definitely ‘summer’ in most countries north of the Equator.

Julie is sitting on the sofa wrapped in a blanket, and I am seriously considering putting the central heating on. Last night, I had trouble sleeping, because my feet were cold in bed. And that was under a fleecy duvet, full tog.

Not that long ago, we had temperatures of 28C (82F), bright sunshine, and humid nights. That felt like summer. This feels more like February, and today was the only day it didn’t rain at all in nearly a week. For the last four days, the best temperature we have reached in Beetley is 13C. (55F)

It seems Global Warming and Climate Change have definitely arrived uninvited in England, if not the whole of Britain.

Coping with an extension of the Covid-19 rules is bad enough, after all this time. And now it is cold and miserable into the bargain.

50 thoughts on “Summer Solstice”

  1. Reminding me of Rumpole’s experiences in Norfolk. He went to school in what he describes as ‘a wind-blasted penal colony on the Norfolk coast’.

    And there is the Christmas he spent with Hilda at one of her school chums at – if I recall correctly – Coldsands Rectory located in the Arctic aka Norfolk. But then that was winter….

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    1. I used to love Leo McKern as Rumpole, but I don’t remember that episode.
      (It is 21 C and humid here today, by contrast.)
      Thanks for your comment, Josie, and for following my blog.
      Best wishes, Pete.

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  2. What a time shift with ongoing weather caprioles we have. Wasnt this the day, PMJ wanted to reopen the kingdom? it sounds a little bit horrible. Here we all over the day getting information about “worst Delta virus situations in the UK”. Mixed up with some conspiracy theories, its enough to get bad mood. However, we only have to enjoy what we are have. Will change the mood a little bit. 😉 Best wishes, Michael

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    1. We do have a big increase in Delta Variant, hence the delay to opening up from lockdown. I am starting to wonder if that lockdown will ever ease in 2021.
      Best wishes, Pete.

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  4. I know all over the world we have been waiting on summer so that we can get out of the house since the long year we all had. Climate change is affecting us all. We will see what the rest of the year brings

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  7. It was lovely here and Charlie stayed outside getting in each last moment of sun. He is always a little sad when the days become incrementally shorter, so I gave him a sympathetic word when he came inside.

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  10. Deep South and we had 8 hours of rain and cool temps (74)…highly unusual….but there is no problem with the climate….do not get me wrong the change is a welcome diversion from the typical 90+ heat and the humidity…..chuq

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  14. I played tennis this morning in Schenectady, NY, and barely made it through two sets. It was 92 degrees F and very humid. We’re in opposite hemispheres. We’re supposed to get a cold front coming through tonight. Out on the west coast, California and Arizona, the temperatures have gone up to 115 degrees. Chicago had a bad tornado yesterday in the western suburbs. How chaotic!

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  15. I must admit I was cold last night too and this morning I even put he heating on. It’s been a dull day. We’ve had some nice weather recently so the gardeners will welcome some rain but I hope it gets back to nice before the kids break up from school. I don’t think last Summer was great for them, he best of the weather being while they were still in class.
    Hugs

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    1. I resisted putting the heating on, David. Having it on in June just doesn’t compute in my brain. Even though I am used to rain in June, (It often rains during Wimbledon Tennis fortnight) I don’t recall it feeling as cold as this in previous Junes.
      Best wishes, Pete.

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  16. Been a bit up and down here Pete only a couple of days in minus numbers in Dunedin
    On the bright side Christmas is coming, sitting by the fire supping on a nice drink of choice Chocolates and Brazil nuts abound, pretty lights decorating the drab streets. And I’m sure you will be out of lockdown enjoying your favorite restaurants. Oh and from memory your bound to get at least another couple of days in the high 20’s
    Cheers

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    1. Cheers, Bobby. I would still like a few days more of summer before Christmas. I’m not going on holiday until September, and hoping for an Indian Sumer then.
      Best wishes, Pete.

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  18. Oh dear, Pete, what horrible weather. It isn’t even that cold here and it is our winter solstice. That being said, I freeze to death if the temperatures are below 20 degrees Celsius. We are acclimatized to hot weather.

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  20. (1) According to my friends—including John, Henry, Robert, Sean, Richard, and Rod—the longest day was back on June 6, 1944.
    (2) I’ll trade you 43° C for 13° C. Sweat for shivers. What d’ya say?
    (3) You have a choice between Henry and June. Which one will you pick?

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  23. This is exactly why my in-laws moved from the UK to Spain 19 years ago. My FIL turned 89 on the weekend and is in very good health! I hope it warms up again soon for you folks.

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