June is Over

June was a proper summer month here. We had mostly sunshine, and quite a few days above 30 Celsius (high 80s to 90s F). Typically, people were moaning and complaining about the heat, and as soon as it cooled down last weekend, they were doing the same about the rain and chill.
Yesterday, the sun came back; we're in for another hot week, and I can already hear the fresh complaints - the weather just can't get it right for some of us, can it ;-)

Admittedly, I did not sleep all that well during the hottest nights. Hardly anybody here (nobody I know personally) has A/C in their homes, and a lot of offices and shops are not so equipped, either. But, hey, it is summer, and the cold weather returns soon enough, so let's make the most of it while we can!

Here is a typical outfit I wore to the office last month. As a woman, of course I can adapt my clothes better to warm weather than the men can; they are required to wear long trousers, shirts and (mostly) ties which I imagine can get a little uncomfortable above a certain temperature.

See my handbag? It was a birthday gift from my sister-in-law in Yorkshire. The dress is old; I've had it for 7 years or so. But the shoes are new and good enough for the office while at the same time allowing my feet to breathe on hot days at our A/C-less office.

Most evenings during the week, when I am home on my own, I want something to eat that is quick and easy to make, filling but not leaving me feeling so "stuffed" I can't sleep. Salads are the answer; I simply toss in what I've got, make a little vinaigrette, and have a good meal ready within 10 minutes.

 
Here is one I've made last week, with a green and yellow pepper, radishes, spring onions, and a handful of soft dried tomatoes. Adding bits of cheese makes it complete, and just a few chopped peppermint leaves (grown on my window sill) add that extra freshness.

Last but not least, June offered some fantastic skies. I could have taken pictures nearly every morning and evening, but here are two that show the views from my living room and kitchen window respectively on the evening of the 28th. Later that night, it rained, if I remember correctly. It was very welcome, as the entire month was very dry.

 
That was only June - now it is July, and the fields look as if they are ready to be harvested already, about 2 weeks earlier than most years.

On Sunday, my sister and I are starting our annual Yorkshire holiday. Like last year, O.K. kindly lends me his MacBook again. Therefore, you can expect some "live blogging" :-)