The next heat wave!

[Maz]

I saw a nurse from the community respiratory team today. He is referring me to a respiratory consultant for some lung function tests and a full review. I’m not holding my breath (pardon the pun) that they will be clued up enough on the HSD, but I’m holding on to hope

Fingers crossed. I hope they treat it. I googled it a bit and I think it mentioned specialised physio for the muscles in that area. Hope you're feeling ok.

I avoid London now! I have had asthma flare ups following days out in London. There are certain places in the world I just wouldn’t go to because of the pollution levels Asthma and Lung UK work a lot in campaigning for clean air.

Italy and Spain in August are to be avoided in my book! The humidity is very high. South of France in August is good though - there is a sea breeze and it's dry heat. It's strange as it's the same coastline but I think it's to do with Corsica being opposite the cote d'azur so it changes the climate and sea somehow (no waves either). I escaped Italy to go back to the south of France when I was there in August once, for that reason! The year I was in Spain in August (never again), people were dying of heat and pollution in Athens. Southern Spain round Seville way and Athens were the worst hit. It's the pollution in the cities getting trapped under the humidity I think - and heat exhaustion.

 

[Maz]

I think the old fashioned way was hang a damp towel or sheet over a door of window.

 

[Socks' Mum]

The main cause of a flat or house heating up are the windows. A friend of mine who lived in Japan for a long time told me how they deal with the extrem heat. The most important thing is to block the south and west facing windows from the sun from the outside! Normally in Germany most old houses have outside blinds for that reason. Unfortunately newer buildings don’t, in order to save money.
In Asia they hang bamboo blinds outside in front of any glass windows. These are cheap and very effective and she told me, saying they keep at least 80 percent of the heat out of the room.
I have ordered 4 blinds for my south facing huge patio windows and also some sticking hooks especially designed for outside.
All together this was affordable and they will arrive before the next heatwave
I will post the blinds in case anyone is interested.
Another idea is too wet the concrete (south facing) outside of the windows and doors. This must be done in the early mornings or late evenings.
My friend sent me a video explaining these precautions, I can share it if anyone would like to watch it.
Even if you have ac with these easy tricks you can save a lot of money

Amazon.de

These are such nice blinds, I do cover them. I experimented with tying a very lightweight nylon tarp to the outside of my windows as I'm in an upper storey. It sort of works in an untidy way, but I'm not sure if it will be approved of. Part of it billowed up into the upstairs windows and the lady upstairs might have caught a brief glimpse of a blue sail rising over the side of her window box before I hauled it down . Hopefully the fans and ice will be enough, but an outside blind would be magic. The video is great

 

[Socks' Mum]

Covet not cover

 

[Maz]

The blinds are a great idea!

 

[Socks' Mum]

Just imagining your neighbours face when a blue flag flies in front of her window

I started giggling so much I couldn't tie the string for a while

 

[Lovelyness]

I bought reflective no drill blinds for inside the windows which have helped a bit. I will still pull them down when I have the air con so the air con doesn’t have to work so hard

 

[Lovelyness]

Great to hear. The heat waves must be awful if they increase your risk of asthma attacks

Yes, it’s been bad this year. It was bad 4 years ago too when we had 40 degree heat

 

[Socks' Mum]

I bought reflective no drill blinds for inside the windows which have helped a bit. I will still pull them down when I have the air con so the air con doesn’t have to work so hard

Where did you get your blinds? My double glazing is strange the outside facing pane is cool to touch even in the sun, but the inside facing pane heats up when it's sunny and gets very warm especially if there is a curtain near it. The warmth of the inner pane makes the room hot

 

[Maz]

They look great. Were they easy to hang? I'm hopeless at things like that which is why we don't have any blinds!

 

[Lovelyness]

Where did you get your blinds? My double glazing is strange the outside facing pane is cool to touch even in the sun, but the inside facing pane heats up when it's sunny and gets very warm especially if there is a curtain near it. The warmth of the inner pane makes the room hot

I got mine from blinds 2 go. You can get cheaper ones e.g. Dunelm, but you have to cut them to size. I didn’t trust myself to cut them properly lol I got the twist ones…they were super easy to fit…I did them by myself. You just have to make sure yo measure the window recesses really accurately. They have made a difference, and will keep heat in in the winter too. They are blackout blinds too so they keep the bedroom nice and dark on light mornings so I don’t wake up at 5.30 am! I’m really pleased with them

 

[Socks' Mum]

My blinds for outside arrived and my Russian neighbour came straight to help me put them up they came just in time as it’s getting hot, but extremely windy and I can’t put the parasols up.
They are really nice and already keeping the scorching sun off.

View attachment 13780

View attachment 13781

Envious They are very smart. I'm glad they are keeping your home cool

 

[Socks' Mum]

They were not expensive and just hung up on those special outdoor sticky hooks. They leave no holes and can be easily taken down.
The storm is really bad here there are things blowing down the road. Our outdoor lamp at the door blew away too.

Hope it doesn't last too long. The blinds look very nice

 

[Socks' Mum]

We have had the storm for the last five days my vaulted ceiling is creaking like an old ship what’s it like in the UK?

It's extremely sunny in the London and 31C

 

[Socks' Mum]

It's extremely sunny in the London and 31C

It's a replay of the week before last

 

[Socks' Mum]

London is turning into the new Spain
It’s unbelievable that it has actually been hotter than Spain on occasional days

Yes, why go overseas to somewhere hot anymore?

 

[Socks' Mum]

Has the new fan helped?

Yes, I've got them at opposite ends of the room and one of them is in the cooler kitchenette. They have timers which is great I've ordered a terracotta wine cooler to use as like the pot in the video, but without vegetables in it. I'm curious about whether it will work

 

[Socks' Mum]

The wine cooler didn't make it unfortunately. I opened the box and it was broken into pieces Rather dangerous. It was wrapped in bubble wrap and the box had paper stuffing and fragile stickers, but I think it must have got squashed by heavy items and broken. I sent in pictures of the mess and eBay has refunded me. Oh well, back to the frozen water bottles

 

[Maz]

Hot here again today.

 

[Socks' Mum]

I looked on Amazon, i found this one. I think they are quite good with delivering

Amazon.de

amzn.eu

Aw, thank you I think I'll give the wine coolers a rest for a while, but much appreciated