Flaming
June 2023
This year, the sun has shone brightly and consistently and some days have been extremely warm – for the British Isles. We have had very little rain for weeks and have been forecast thunderstorms and torrential rain several times. At the moment, it is raining in a desultory almost sulky manner in Berkshire, while in Edgbaston the cricket has been rained off.
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Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
It is not clear whether June is the name of the woman or refers to the month. The adjective ‘Flaming’ may be describing the subject’s red hair – all is speculation.
With our uncertain climate, it may be that we shall light a fire later on in the summer, though usually we are confident that for a few months at least we need not worry about being cold. I could be proved wrong – I hope I’m not. We could do with some rain, though. Some areas already have a hosepipe ban.
Apparently, four schools in East Sussex had to close last week because of water shortages across the area served by South East Water. In Kent, also served by S.E. Water, a water leak contributed to the problem on Wednesday 14th June, meaning that many households had no running water. It is expected that the leak could take up to six days to repair!
How on earth do drought-ridden countries cope? Why are we so incompetent?
Worldwide climate patterns have truly gone for a toss. It's so difficult to predict the weather. Here in Bangalore, India, we had unseasonal rain. We had unusually hot summer. But luckily it didn't last too long, though everyone predicted that it will be quite severe.
ReplyDeleteIt seems that we in UK never learn. Victorian pipes have been leaking for decades - so wasteful.
DeleteHi Janice - we've had a storm overnight, and then a bit of rain - but actually a fair amount today - in Eastbourne. We have very elderly infrastructure ... and where shareholders need their cut re customers' needs - who always seem to be at the bottom of the pile. I do not know what is happening in general in this country - too many selfish people ... I'd better stop ... though your 'why are we so incompetent' says it all - stupidity. Cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteIt's appalling, isn't it, Hilary?
DeleteOver the years I’ve often wondered where ‘flaming June’ came from…..especially during years lived in UK when (like you with your fire) had to turn the heating on.
ReplyDeleteAfter 3 years it now seems our La Niña phase with it’s wet wet weather has finished and we’re about to get a turn at entertaining El Niño- hot dry weather coming our way. Hopefully not accompanied by bushfires.
Wild fires are terrifying. I hope you're spared them.
DeleteI know Leighton's painting had a very difficult history, lost or stolen and then under-valued. But it was always beautiful and still is now. Mind you, I am very partial to red heads.
ReplyDeleteWe store huge quantities of water in dams and we now also have desalination plants to assist with the supply.
ReplyDeleteIt is a beautiful painting, very romantic.
ReplyDelete