Summertime

Even though it is the middle of July, and summertime, the temperatures in London have been in the 60s and 70s. I still wear a light jacket or bring along an umbrella when going out because it is usually cloudy and threatening rain. Occasionally there will be sun shining for most of the day -- but that is rare -- most often it is only a half-day of sunshine that we get. For the other part of the day there will be heavy clouds and perhaps rain. Everyone says that last summer was cool and wet, and they are expecting the same this year as well.

There are no screens on the windows, and surprisingly, for the most part they are not needed. We keep windows open in our flat all the time. Every now and then a single fly will appear -- especially in the kitchen if food is cooking. I have seen only one mosquito since I've been here.

In June, we purchased two large standing fans to keep us cool this summer. (Most flats do not have air conditioning.) Those fans are still in their boxes in the spare room.