Today the temperatures here are forecast to get into the high-20s (26 / 27 degrees) and already, before noon, it's pretty darn hot in the garden. Naturally, I'm in tune with it being so hot today and have started knitting myself a new scarf for the winter and we've got a warming chicken casserole for our evening meal!! Hmm, that's not very well organised now is it? Luckily, the really warm temperatures are only forecast for today with tomorrow onwards being a much more seasonal 21 / 22 degrees. I suspect today will be probably be this summer's last hurrah.
I know many parts of the UK have had yet another mediocre summer (and that's a typical British understatement,) with a lot of rain and low temperatures, so I'll just whisper this - here in SE Essex we've actually had quite a good summer. We only had a couple of days where the mercury was above 30 (which is a blessed relief for me) but really for the past few months the temperatures have been around the 22 / 24 mark - just nice - with little rain and a fair amount of sunny blue skies. And in the summer, in the UK, who can ask for better than that?
Years ago I loved the sun and the hotter the weather the more I loved it. I still have the fondest memories of the summer of 1976 where the temperature rarely got below 30 for two months or more. Then it was my idea of heaven, now it would be my idea of hell. Of course, in 1976 I'd just turned 16, just finished my 'O' Levels and had nothing better to do all day than lie in the sun getting the best tan I have ever had in my life. Funny how our tastes change as we get older and we have to do an awful lot more every day!
And still the plums are hanging in their droves from the plum tree. I packed two large Kilner jars with plums preserved in port at the weekend and am seriously considering whether to make yet more plum jam (although a shortage of jam jars is hindering this plan a tad.) I'll start picking more plums again tomorrow and see how many I can distribute between the neighbours before I decide what'll be the best course of action. I certainly don't want to waste such a wonderful crop.
It's been a lovely day today hasn't it! Those plums look wonderful! Plum chutney is good but I do know what you mean about lack of jam jars! Mr C is asking around at work to see if anyone has any to spare (with the promise of chutney/relish/jam/jelly for any donations)
Posted by: Catz | 09/08/2009 at 05:54 PM
We've had pretty grotty weather this summer - will head down your way next year!
Is freecycle active in your area? I got some jam jars from someone on there last year.
Posted by: French Knots | 09/09/2009 at 11:11 AM
Jamjars: A while ago at our local supermarket by the recycling bins, someone had put a box with a notice requesting jamjars and it was almost full ... worth a try?
Posted by: Sandie | 09/09/2009 at 03:29 PM