Genealogy Chat

I find I reach boiling point when I go on to my Hot Matches!

Hi all - When the temperature soars unrelentingly here, as it did last summer, I get up super early to do what has to be done while it is still relatively cool - but sleep as long as possible during the hottest hours. I also 'do stuff' in the evenings once things cool down. Open all the windows as soon as it shows signs of cooling down - and close everything up the minute the thermometer looks as if it is in a cartoon. If possible screen windows (and walls) from the sun - bricks get hot enough with the ambiant temperature, and don't need the sun full on them as well. Good luck all Victoria (where it is several degrees below minus most nights at the moment)

Cool the house down overnight with the windows open. Close them and the curtains as the sun comes up and keep them closed. If you have shutters (preferably external) that is better than curtains.

Thanks to everyone for your tips. I know we shouldn't moan, but I for one can only cope with these temperatures if I have a swimming pool on hand to cool me off every 10 minutes or so. 20 degrees I can cope with, but not 34!! Gail.

aw, thanks Elaine just wondered if temps were soaring above normal there too. Tracy

If its relaxation you are after then go for it. Our problem is that we live here all year round. I really hate the summer months - apart from the heat we have the visitors!!! I hibernate during the summer - inside my own house with the aircon on - unfortunately it doesn´t work in our office area!!!

No Elaine she's here at mo I'm was thinking of coming out there to get away from work and animals... all i seem to do if I take holidays off work is clean and do garden if i don't go anywhere. Don't seem to get chance to sit in the sun at home.

Tracy - its warm !!! Went out this afternoon (in car so air conditioning on!!) - outside temperature registering at 34 degrees. It is now just gone midnight here - am sitting in office with laptop on - temperature 28 degrees - and I´ve got a window open so am being bitten my mossies at the same time ! With the temperatures you are experiencing in the UK at the moment I can´t see the benefits of coming out here to experience the same - unless of course you are coming to see your Mum !

Elaine, just wondered as my mum has an appartment near there about 20 mins away. and was wondering if it was too hot there as i fancy a quick week. (work depending)

I've got a very good tip: don't do thirteen hour shifts on two consecutive days involving lots of heavy lifting outside. I am currently suffering from not having taken this advice.

Hi Tracey - no we are north of Torrevieja - midway between Alicante and Valencia.

I feel I miss out on this Grandma thing as son and family live in Holland. Our son speaks fluent dutch - no idea how as he lived in Spain for 4 years (as a teenager) and all he could say was a pint of beer and a packet of fags !! - andt that was aged 16 !! Grandson - will be 4 in September - English father, mother half dutch/half Spanish, grandfather in Holland (whom he spends a lot of time with) is Dutch but speaks a bit of English, and grandma in Holland is half dutch and half Spanish. Although he understands a bit of what we are saying, I know that in the future he will be multilingual. Why is it that the UK is so far behind in the teaching of foreign language. For the past 10 years I have worked in an international school in Spain and you can see the difference between the English children trying to learn a foreign language, compared with other European children. Do we not teach grammar in UK schools any more - ask an English child what a past tense of a verb is and they look at you blank. Ask a German/Dutch/French etc. child the same question and they know the answer. Oh well - roll on Saturday when grandson arrives - at least I know he can swim so I´ll chuck him in the pool if all else fails !!! Sorry - got diverted from the question of how to cope with the heatwave?

You could move to the coast... and suffer the sea fretts!! Elaine are you anywhere near Torrevieja?

Elaine.....No one speaks the same language as a four-year-old!!!! Trust me, I've been with one this evening! Merry

Would definitely agree with that Merry. Had a phone call from my son a couple of days ago - can he come and see us for a 2 weeks holiday - him, his wife and 4 year old grandson!! They arrive on Saturday !! No problem - apart from the fact that our spare room is currently under construction as the JUNK ROOM!!! Have spent a couple of days having a really good clear out and have now located the sofa bed for grandson to sleep in. Having said that - really looking forward to seeing them as we don´t get together as often as we would like - with us living in Spain and them living in Holland. By the way - any tips on how to entertain a 4 year old who doesn´t speak the same language !!!

Here are some things you SHOULDN'T do..... 1) 9.15am tidy and clean dau's bedroom 2) 9.45am tidy and clean son's bedroom 3) 10.15am tidy and clean dining room 4) 10.45am tidy and clean bathrooms/toilet 5) 11.30am tidy and clean main bedroom 6) 2.30pm tidy and clean kitchen 7) 4.00pm tidy and clean computer room 8) 5.00pm tidy and clean living room 8) 6.30pm expect guests 9) only one turns up (out of 5) 10) Hot, so sit in garden.....expected house ''tour'' doesn't happen 11) (you can do this one).....flake out in chair with glass of wine 12) (and this one) .....feel smug at tidy and clean house! Merry

Hello, If it makes you feel any better it is 109 degrees here today and expected to get hotter the rest of the week! I play my tape of rain sounds and keep the curtains closed!! It's even too hot for swimming.

hiya, right then, firstly do not have cold shower or bath, have it cool, as this will help regulate your bodys temp, a cold shower/bath will make you even hotter. I know exactly how you feel m'dear, i'm 34 wks pregnant at mo, and this is really unbearable, to top it all is gonna be 34degs tomorrow here, my blackout curtains WILL stay shut, and all my ceiling fans will be on, drink plenty of clear fluids, ie water, as this will help to keep you rehydrated, try not to go out in hottest parts of day, and dont forget about any pets, they will be feeling it too, sorry to waffle on, but over last few days i been like a hermit, just saying what i found to work HTH Julie

Oops - just realised I am on the tips board !! Too much brandy tonight !!

You can come and jump in the pool - mind you water temperature this afternoon was 30 degrees!! Have a couple of nice lilos with a drinks holder at the side - first come, first served !!!! Can hear you all mutter away to yourselves - so I´ll hurry back to the records and tips where people might appreciate my input !!!!!!!!!!