In praise of cooler weather
As unpopular as this post could be, let’s pause and appreciate the great British summer.
The climate is dominating the news as swathes of the northern hemisphere swelter under record-breaking heat. Whilst at home, we bob along in the late teens or early 20’s in what should be mid-summer. In fact, it is exactly a year ago on July 19th 2022 that Britain baked: nearby Benson recorded 38.7C and Heathrow made it to 40.2C.
I love warm summer sunshine, but the reality is that few have ever moved to England because of the climate! I certainly didn’t. Our island position is on the receiving end of what the north Atlantic puts our way and has made it the place it is. Largely dull and often wet, but that’s what has shaped the countryside and a way of life..including a lot of moaning about the weather!
It’s the weather that nourishes (and takes away), plants, animals and insects that are the building blocks of life. This much celebrated countryside that draws visitors who come to marvel and enjoy, filmmakers to film, artists to paint and writers looking for inspiration. This summer’s palette of green and deep lush shade in the forests is surely preferable to hard shades of brown and accompanying dust?
In the quarry I enjoy watching the micro-changes as high summer takes hold; the grasses are taller, the marble white butterflies rise up around my feet as I walk, fireweed, knapweed and field scabious dominate, the wild strawberries and orchids are spent until next June, foxgloves are on borrowed time.
This is a short video shot on a windy day and stars butterflies, hungry beetles and the next generation of birds. And Leo takes a dip. It certainly blew my cobwebs away!
Travel in the summer peak has always brought a narrow travel window of pressure, crowds, high prices and now intense heat. It is the latter that is already impacting our holiday and travel choices. Will we see greater numbers travelling here, seeking relief in a cooler climate? Or will the summer of ’24 be a scorcher?
In the meantime, enjoy your holidays wherever you are going, but don’t forget to check on the micro-life in your life - they can give perspective over high summer - intense heat or rain, they’ll get by. It’s we humans that have to worry.
Links you will need
A half-day introduction to countryside photography on a practical field tutorial with me. I will take you to my quarry and show you how to look, really look and find those interesting angles to video or take photographs. Information and booking here.
RHS Hyde Hall in Essex has a fabulous dry garden with ideas about water-free planting. Worth a visit this summer.
The wonder of Wessex: walking the Ridgeway in Wiltshire and Oxfordshire will do wonders for your mood.
I’m not sure it’s the ‘game changer’ it claims to be, but worth a look at National Trust properties at risk from adverse climate change.