Stormy Weather II

[oddoneout]

My mum used to say, never pull a face when the wind changes, because you'll stay like that. I wonder where that saying comes from - if it is a saying; I've never heard it said elsewhere.

I heard it as a child in the Midlands, my Scottish granny said it sometimes and it's also part of the wit and wisdom of this neck of the woods.

[BBMmk2]

My mum used to say, never pull a face when the wind changes, because you'll stay like that. I wonder where that saying comes from - if it is a saying; I've never heard it said elsewhere.

Sometimes there a take to tell!

Not very inspiring out there, today.

[oddoneout]

The continued greyness and cold is challenging me now. As someone who tries to take the "could be worse/at least it's not..." approach, normally I can cope pretty well but the positivity (or at least neutral) elastic is getting rather over-stretched currently. I gave up and put the heating on last night and then noticed that the boiler needs re-pressurising, a job which I hate and which is awkward and hard on my painful hands. It's at least another two months until the annual service is due so it has to be DIY now rather than "that can wait".

[Petrushka]

The continued greyness and cold is challenging me now. As someone who tries to take the "could be worse/at least it's not..." approach, normally I can cope pretty well but the positivity (or at least neutral) elastic is getting rather over-stretched currently. I gave up and put the heating on last night.

Same here in every respect except that I gave in and had the heating on for part of yesterday afternoon. Currently 19 degrees indoors which is borderline to make me want to put the heating on, 22/23 being much more comfortable.

[HighlandDougie]

Well that was a bloody terrible August, weather wise.
Technically speaking.

Well, not everywhere. I am reliably informed by my neighbour in Scoterland that it has been the warmest, driest and generally bestest August for some years. Not sure that that tells anyone anything other than there probably won't be another August like it for the rest of the decade.

[oddoneout]

Well, not everywhere. I am reliably informed by my neighbour in Scoterland that it has been the warmest, driest and generally bestest August for some years. Not sure that that tells anyone anything other than there probably won't be another August like it for the rest of the decade.

Yes, reports from family way up there have been more positive much of the time, but I think they are allowed that given things can get pretty nasty during the winter.

[Old Grumpy]

I heard it as a child in the Midlands, my Scottish granny said it sometimes and it's also part of the wit and wisdom of this neck of the woods.

I certainly heard it in leafy Bucks...

...but both my parents had part Scottish ancestry so that may be the original source.

[Cockney Sparrow]

My father said the same, and I'm told he had a Glaswegian father. (I presume he got on alright, living in the East End). I never met his parents - he was the youngest of a large family..........

[oddoneout]

There was a strange bright heat-emitting object in the sky today - I think it might have been the sun.Been MIA for so long I'd rather forgotten what it was... Might have something to do with schools back tomorrow.

[BBMmk2]

There was a strange bright heat-emitting object in the sky today - I think it might have been the sun.Been MIA for so long I'd rather forgotten what it was... Might have something to do with schools back tomorrow.

Yes, I was out and about yesterday. I saw a strange round yellow thing that was up in the sky too. Quite hot!
Today will be too!

[Serial_Apologist]

Today I'm taking things easy, having made the most of yesterday's warm sunshine to do one of my longest cycle rides since moving here in 2004, taking in Clapham, Battersea Bridge, Hammersmith Broadway, the very pleasant district to the west of Shepherd's Bush, the Regency Canal towpath from just south of Willesden Junction to Ladbroke Grove, Notting Hill, Holland Park, Earl's Court, Battersea Bridge (again), Clapham Common, Herne Hill, W Dulwich and then home - about 29 miles in total, I've estimated. Not bad for a 75-year old, eh? Having seen Iain Sinclair covering part of the Regency Canal towpath with a mate on one of his psychic geography youtubes, I was particularly keep to try and make it there to confirm what a beautiful and peaceful stretch of unspoilt brownfield it is, before all the shenanigans of HS2 get going with the projected expansion of the Old Oak Common yards, which are still concealed from the pathway. There were far fewer barges to be seen than I'd been expecting, but a lot more dope being smoked! Feeling a bit light-headed by the time I reached Holland Park - but not for the latter reason, I hasten to add - I stopped off and replenished my reserves with the help of a large, sweet and juicy apple. The "trick" I've discovered on these long trips is to make maximum use of any traffic blockages and short-cutting awkward one-way systems by getting off and walking for a few hundred yards, as I've found such use of an alternative set of leg muscles seems to re-strengthen the ones needed for cycling, so I was surprised to find myself not over-exhausted or suffering from aching joints on arrival home, and was even able to put in a final spurt, in anticipation of a nice cooling, thirst-quenching drink. Kensington Church Street was slightly too far east of my itinerary to get to yesterday, and I might just try and get back there tomorrow, in order to see the House where Frank Bridge lived in the 1920s, which has a blue plaque on the front wall. I did pass by John Ireland's house in Gunther Grove yesterday.

One less pleasant thing which I learned yesterday rather contradicts the oft-stated remark to the effect that the cash carrying society is now a thing of the past, having visited several small shops where I was unable to purchase a simple ice cream cone using a bankers card because they would not take a card unless one spent more than £3.20. Like so many these days I was not carrying any change.

25 C here right now, in hazy sunshine. The weather is set to remain on the hot side until Wednesday night, when we can expect a thundery breakdown, followed by a return to unsettled conditions, though remaining on the warm side for September.

[oddoneout]

Today I'm taking things easy, having made the most of yesterday's warm sunshine to do one of my longest cycle rides since moving here in 2004, taking in Clapham, Battersea Bridge, Hammersmith Broadway, the very pleasant district to the west of Shepherd's Bush, the Regency Canal towpath from just south of Willesden Junction to Ladbroke Grove, Notting Hill, Holland Park, Earl's Court, Battersea Bridge (again), Clapham Common, Herne Hill, W Dulwich and then home - about 29 miles in total, I've estimated. Not bad for a 75-year old, eh? Having seen Iain Sinclair covering part of the Regency Canal towpath with a mate on one of his psychic geography youtubes, I was particularly keep to try and make it there to confirm what a beautiful and peaceful stretch of unspoilt brownfield it is, before all the shenanigans of HS2 get going with the projected expansion of the Old Oak Common yards, which are still concealed from the pathway. There were far fewer barges to be seen than I'd been expecting, but a lot more dope being smoked! Feeling a bit light-headed by the time I reached Holland Park - but not for the latter reason, I hasten to add - I stopped off and replenished my reserves with the help of a large, sweet and juicy apple. The "trick" I've discovered on these long trips is to make maximum use of any traffic blockages and short-cutting awkward one-way systems by getting off and walking for a few hundred yards, as I've found such use of an alternative set of leg muscles seems to re-strengthen the ones needed for cycling, so I was surprised to find myself not over-exhausted or suffering from aching joints on arrival home, and was even able to put in a final spurt, in anticipation of a nice cooling, thirst-quenching drink. Kensington Church Street was slightly too far east of my itinerary to get to yesterday, and I might just try and get back there tomorrow, in order to see the House where Frank Bridge lived in the 1920s, which has a blue plaque on the front wall. I did pass by John Ireland's house in Gunther Grove yesterday.

One less pleasant thing which I learned yesterday rather contradicts the oft-stated remark to the effect that the cash carrying society is now a thing of the past, having visited several small shops where I was unable to purchase a simple ice cream cone using a bankers card because they would not take a card unless one spent more than £3.20. Like so many these days I was not carrying any change.

25 C here right now, in hazy sunshine. The weather is set to remain on the hot side until Wednesday night, when we can expect a thundery breakdown, followed by a return to unsettled conditions, though remaining on the warm side for September.

As you say SA not bad for a mature person- I feel tired just reading about it!
The way card payment became ubiquitous so quickly has blinded customers(if they ever knew or thought about it) to the fact that PDQ machines/card readers incur costs. for large outlets that isn't an issue but it is a consideration for small traders.When the choice was use them and take the x% hit or risk having no income at all most chose the former, but I suspect that as things move to an approximation of normal the minimum spend might be seen more?
Temp in mid to high 20s today, bit of a shock to the system, and the already stressed garden isn't liking it. Given the forecast for the next few days volunteer gardening will be short and sweet on Tuesday, and a long shift at work on Wednesday will be spent making the most of a cool building as far as possible - fortunately the return to school reduces the work load considerably.

[BBMmk2]

I think, sooner rather than later, hard cash, will be a thing of the past. I see now people paying via their phones?!?!? How is secure is that method?

Another hotty today. I’m not so great in the sun, unless I’m moving along.

[Bryn]

I think, sooner rather than later, hard cash, will be a thing of the past. I see now people paying via their phones?!?!? How is secure is that method?

Yes, it's a method I find rather annoying when queueing at a checkout or boarding a bus and someone in front is paying that way. It takes that much longer and fails more often than the simple use of a contactless debit or credit card.

[Old Grumpy]

Yes, it's a method I find rather annoying when queueing at a checkout or boarding a bus and someone in front is paying that way. It takes that much longer and fails more often than the simple use of a contactless debit or credit card.

Agree. Or at a mainline train station I have a ticket (in the old fashioned sense) and someone in front is faffing on with their phone in front of the barrier.