In the garden, outside Folkestone with my feet in a bucket of cold water to cool down. UK residents are unused to such soaring temperatures!
The British wilt and moan and find sweating just not PC. Usually lashed with gentle rain, they are ill-equipped for heat waves. Our climate changes in the UK normally necessitate simple choices, jumper on or jumper off. Not shorts and no socks. Even finding footwear is suddenly challenging. How to cope without socks? We British reach a stage of undress in heatwaves that we would not deem appropriate in the privacy of our own bedrooms.
In such a state sweat lubricates unexpected social interactions. These are normally only attained with abundant alcoholic beverages to loosen tight-lipped inhibitions. Feet with velociraptor toenails are suddenly on display.
In blazing sunshine, shoulder hair is exhibited with abandon everywhere. They expose themselves to complete strangers in ways they only show reluctantly to their GPs under pain and duress.
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One gets a glimpse of social change triggered by climate change. At such sudden temperature shifts cultures sustain earthquake-like damage. Reserve comes tumbling down. The stiff upper lip quivers. Engagement with others, across the gardens burnt brown, burst forth.
All this will change, of course, with the onset of rain and the clouds of autumn. But in this heat wave of a summer, unexpected flowers spring in a wondrous diversity of colours. Possibilities of interactions undreamed of becoming common. Unable to mow our tiny patches of green perfection we reach out instead to other humans. Undressed, sweaty and ill-prepared we launch exciting interactions here and there. Like a Vikings on unknown raids, daring all. It’s a splendid thing – a sunny English summer!
