The Heat Is On

While the U.K. has been enduring freezing conditions over the last few weeks we've also been experiencing a cooler summer than normal.

I'm not complaining, temperatures in the mid-twenties suit me fine. It's been fairly windy too, which has been nice. Some nights we've even needed long sleeves outside. On NYE we dusted off the brazier and fired that up for extra warmth. But the best thing about this weather is that the flies have been virtually non-existent.

This time last year they were the bane of our lives. There were so many of 'em, it was unbelievable. Without warning, one day in late November, they just 'arrived'. In their masses, making our lives a misery until the end of January. Every aspect of the outdoor Aussie lifestyle that we'd moved here to enjoy, was hampered by their constant presence. They were the ultimate pest and I seriously considered turning around and heading home.

Perhaps the cooler temperatures and the breeze have kept their numbers down. That's all changed this last week or so though. It's been in the high thirties all week and today it's 42 degrees.

It's cracking flags as they say back in Blighty.