Monday, June 29, 2009

Keep your Cool


This reminds me of the dear dead days when I used to stay with friends in the Languedoc during a heat-wave. The sun was the enemy and the first up each day had to close the windows and draw the blinds to keep the heat out. If using the stove couldn’t be avoided - immediately afterwards we had to stick pans of cold water on the stove to cool everything down. At dusk we opened the curtains and the windows.


We wore loose floaty clothes in natural fabrics, flat sandals and kept our heads covered in the sun, which we avoided like the plague. Running water, greenery and shade were our allies. At night we preferred to sleep in single beds with cool cotton or linen sheets.

Do you have any tips for keeping cool in a heat wave?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irUlcLVS3FE - URL for video


14 comments:

lom said...

Don't complain Pat it will be winter again next week haha

Keith said...

Believe it or not, but my neighbours display their stupidity this hot weather. They fling all the windows and doors wide open first thing in the morning and at night close them! They stagger around the house complaining that it's "too darned hot". She lies in the garden in the full sun to boost her tan, wearing a bikini and drinking what appears to be gallons of lager!

When I politely tried to explain what the French do in the hot weather she told me I was talking rot.

I don't open the windows in the hot weather, and I have REAL french shutters on some windows.

Are we the only sane people in England?

Barlinnie said...

Pat, during the hotter spells up here, we tend to not put as many logs on the fire to keep us cool.

If the sun keeps shining in Scotland, the locals will change fae a light blue colour to nearly pink.

Anonymous said...

I really miss the house we stayed in in France over the ascension weekend. It had really thick walls and shutters in front of the windows so you could keep the windows open to keep the air moving but the thick walls and shutters would block the heat. Sitting with your feet in a tub of cold water can help keep cool too. And what I like to do with my long hair is wash or rinse it with cold water and then let it air dry. It keeps my head nice and cold for a few hours.

Pat said...

LOM: but I'm British:)

Keith: it's a national failing and trying to interest most people in anything the French is doomed to failure. Fortunately I have been a francophile for decades and now they are part of the family. And yes we probably are the only sane ones although I have my doubts about you from time to time:)

Rick said...

An alaskan cruise??

Pat said...

jimmy: I'm catching the next plane.

Wontlet: I can just see the house
(and the crawlies) - happy days! The hair idea is good for any length and I'm going to do my feet right now. For anyone with bad backs etc I caution against going from hot sun to an ice cold shower. It can cause it to seize up. Moderation - as always is best

Pat said...

Rick: I've always wanted to do the one up the north passage from Vancouver to Alaska. Alas I fear I've missed the boat.

savannah said...

what we do here is just move slower than the breeze and stay inside during the hottest part of the day! you're absolutely doing the right thing, sugar! xoxoxo

Pat said...

Savannah: I can just see you moving slower than the breese. You sexy thing you:)

Kim Ayres said...

I've been waiting for summer for 3 years. I don't care how sweaty I get, I ain't gonna complain now :)

OldLady Of The Hills said...

Oh I wonder what Cole Porter would think of Jewel
s rendition of this wonderful old song....lol!
So you are having a Heat Wave....WOW! Everything is up and down....The Weather and The Emotions, too....!

Pat said...

Kim: do you mean to say you get it up in Scotland? That's not fair.

Naomi: I had difficulty embedding - I would have preferred Marilyn but beggars can't be choosers so she was the best of a not very good bunch.
I don't think Cole would have approved.

Kanani said...

I really hate heat. Mostly what I do is exactly what you did! Keep the shades drawn, turn on the fans. At night, I open up the house.

What was truly miserable was last week in Savannah. It was so hot --not a cool breeze to be felt! It only was better after it had rained a bit.