Friday, June 22, 2007

A STATE OF INELEGANCE











"What dreadful hot weather we have! It keeps me in a continual state of inelegance."

- Jane Austen: Letters, 18.9.1796.






Over 40 C on the Sacro Cuore thermometer today and it is reported that it has gone up to 44 in places. As you see, the morning sky seemed grey [by Sicilian standards] rather than our customary lovely blue. This makes some folk uneasy as they believe it augurs earthquakes. I am convincing myself it is a good old Italian heat haze. Raffaele the hairdresser was giving out fans. I opened up my shutters at 7.15 pm and it didn't seem much cooler though it is better now [9 pm.]
Today's "lunchtime cooler" was this gelato misto of chocolate chip, orange and amarena [wild cherry] flavours. Well, wouldn't you, in this heat?!

11 comments:

marymaryquitecontrary said...

Indeed I would;and in cooler weather too.

Lee said...

You sure are copping the heat there at the moment, Welsh...and it's so difficult to be comfortable in that kind of heat...to get cool. Fans just move around the hot air...and the water coming out of the taps is warm. The only thing you can do is to take things easy, drink lots of cool water and wear sarongs!

I hope it cools down to a sensible, acceptable summer temperature soon.

jmb said...

40 plus. Too horrid to contemplate. I guess you just have to endure it with those delicious gelato concoctions. I hope Miss Simi is doing all right in her fur coat. I'll bet she appreciates those tile floors.
regards
jmb

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Hi, mm. Glad you would, too! Lee, yes, just about.. third summer here so I should be used to it. But when it comes all of a sudden like this it hits the locals for six, too. Air cond in lounge so that helps. Got fan on in study as I am typing, although it's 1 am! you're right - you just have to keep drinking water!

J Cosmo Newbery said...

All these gelatos and granitas look so good and my tastebuds are jumping up and down like corgis at 'walkies' time but outside it is 10degC and soup is a must. I know what will be on the Newbery menu when the weather turns!

Ruthie said...

I'll bet you were very elegant with a fan!

I'm trying to translate Celsius into Fahrenheit in my head.

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

jmb, Simi doesn't seem too bothered. She is good at finding the coolest places and, as you have imagined, stretches out on the floor tiles. Her mummy rubs her down with ice after we have been out. the ices and granite do help! JCN, something to look forward to, then! When does your summer begin over there?

J Cosmo Newbery said...

Technically summer is Dec-Feb but December is usually patchy at best and March is usually quite warm so the borders are a bit fuzzy.

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Gosh, Ruthie, I can't do it in my head! Just looked it up and I gather 40 C = 104 F. [I used to think in F but then we joined the EU!] Thanks, JCN. I 'm never sure of the seasons over there even though I have 2 cousins who live there.

Maria said...

Yes I would and make mine a double! lol

How are the air conditioners in Italy? I hope there as plentiful as here! That's hot, I would never get to sleep!

Hope it cools some!

M

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

We have an air cond. in the lounge but I could do with one in the bedroom as well, M. However, the flat is rented and I would have to leave it here if I had it installed then had to move when the lease is up [in 2 years time].

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