I thought it was quite hot today so put my trusty thermometers in the sun. They both go up to 50 degrees Celsius/120 degrees Farenheit and they are both about to explode.
Please be very, very careful all you fair-skinned people as you could get badly burnt.
My local "weatherman" (an old chap from the village who is usually right) told me yesterday that tomorrow, Sunday, will be even hotter.
Message posted by BruceAndMaria (Born again CTG member) on 09 July 2011 at 2:00pm - IP Logged
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I shall do my very best for you, Bruce. When I next see the "walnut man" (as my daughter calls the weatherman as he is as brown and wrinkled as a walnut) or
"Ti na kanoume" (what can we do) as my son calls him; I shall ask for his forecast and let you know. He is uncannily accurate. I have to confess I have now moved on from iced water to iced lager!
Message posted by BruceAndMaria (Born again CTG member) on 09 July 2011 at 2:34pm - IP Logged
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Quote: Originally posted by Lavinia on 09 July 2011
I have to confess I have now moved on from iced water to iced lager!
Lavinia..Glad to see you have your priorities in the correct order..I just love it when the barman takes those glasses out of the freezer and pours a larger into it.
Bruce
Message posted by kathy3 on 09 July 2011 at 4:27pm - IP Logged
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Lavinia, we arrive on 25th July and if you could put an order in for no higher than 28 I would be extremely grateful - I suspect it will be a lot higher though.
regards, Kath.
Message posted by lymmbo on 09 July 2011 at 6:32pm - IP Logged
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I'm in Devon at the moment! and ever time I have gone outside to take a break and read a book, the sun has gone behind a cloud and stayed there. There is no fairness in the UK weather, like the euromillions lottery, guaranteed to disappoint
Still, I gather the weather in Corfu is just as good in September/October so, I will still get my share of Vitamin D
Message posted by Lavinia on 09 July 2011 at 6:59pm - IP Logged
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LESK, my brother was here last October for two weeks and it rained every single day. It was also at the end of October that we had the horrendous downpour which caused flooding and landslides, so don't hold your breath! But October can be beautiful as can November and December.
Message posted by LESK on 09 July 2011 at 7:03pm - IP Logged
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Hi,
Have to agree folks, it's exceptionally hot here in Corfu at the moment. Not posh, don't have an outside thermometer yet. Aim to get one soon though as I would love to know what the real temperature is, only got my travel alarm with a temperature gauge and that said 50C+, only records to 50C.
Been really idle today as it is just too hot to do any gardening. Shame!!!
Message posted by Lavinia on 09 July 2011 at 9:04pm - IP Logged
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Elliemay. I do not have "posh" thermometers just large portable ones which I have either in the shade on the table or move out to the sun to know how hot it really is. I think one came from Profi and the other from Jumbo and they each cost only a few euros. Still sweltering south of Corfu town and no breeze at all. Very relieved to see the fire planes patrolling overhead today!
Message posted by LESK on 09 July 2011 at 9:28pm - IP Logged
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I'm fair skinned, my Missus is okay in the sun but would still keep out of the sun on days like today at least until things cooled a little.
The question is, do you adapt to the weather over there over a year or two, or do you maintain the same problem or limit to personal comfort every year?
I'm particularly concerned about July/August and don't want to end up hiding all the time at this season and would much prefer to be able to get about within a year, or so without slamming on factor 50 and whingeing
Message posted by Alparrot on 09 July 2011 at 9:32pm - IP Logged
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Hi Lavinia,
Wasn't at all saying that you had posh thermometers. I would really like one of those nice, big, crock outside thermometers, rather than keep bringing my alarm clock from upstairs when I want to know what the temperature is.
LESK, what would advise is not to use air conditioning if you have it, so that you can get acclimatised to the outside temperature. Must admit though, when it is really hot I put mine on for about 10 minutes before I go to bed.
Also I would advise to use sun cream at all times.
Aarghh, is anyone else being bothered by these pesky house fly type flies? They are driving me insaner!!!
Message posted by Lavinia on 09 July 2011 at 10:02pm - IP Logged
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I seem to get completely gnawed by something when I do the evening watering and the only thing that relieves the itching is an ice-block I keep in the freezer for the cool-bag. This might well help swollen feet and ankles too. It might be easier though to use those plastic bag compartment things you fill up with water to freeze as ice cubes as they are more flexible? Or even a bag of frozen peas. Perhaps you should keep your feet elevated as much as you can and apply ice when you can?
I was joking Elliemay about my "posh" thermometers! But phew, it is still blooming hot isn't it? Now it is dark I have opened up all shutters and windows but there is not a breath of air circulating.
Message posted by Elliemay on 09 July 2011 at 10:13pm - IP Logged
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Hi,
But I want a posh thermometer!!! Any idea where to get one from in Corfu?
Was going to have an early night tonight but it is just too hot to go to bed at the moment.
Normally, as we are half way up a mountain, we always get a breeze, but as you say, still as anything tonight. Never known it like this.
Mustn't complain though!!!
Message posted by Jacky on 09 July 2011 at 10:14pm - IP Logged
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I'm always curious as to how other people manage to sleep when it's so hot. We have been coming to Corfu for 15 years and spent most of 2007 there and I don't think we managed to get a good night's sleep during the summer, any handy hints or tips guys?
Jackie
Message posted by Elliemay on 09 July 2011 at 10:20pm - IP Logged
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Hi,
If you don't have air con or a fan, what we used to do was wet the top sheet and wring it out and then sleep under that, as while you are sleeping, the sheet draws the heat from your body to dry.
Blimey! You can tell I have had some real cheapo holidays.
Message posted by mossa on 09 July 2011 at 11:02pm - IP Logged
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Quote: Originally posted by Jacky on 09 July 2011
I'm always curious as to how other people manage to sleep when it's so hot. We have been coming to Corfu for 15 years and spent most of 2007 there and I don't think we managed to get a good night's sleep during the summer, any handy hints or tips guys?
Jackie
Jackie..Try a few Metaxas..I can sleep all night fully clothed even in August after a night in Kostas Bar in Kassiopi
Bruce
Message posted by Barrow Boy on 09 July 2011 at 11:59pm - IP Logged
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Placing thermometers in the direct sun is an unreliable way of measuring temperature. A thermometer with a black background and white scale will show a higher temperature than a thermometer with a white background and black scale. With a black background you could easily get a reading of 50 degrees Celsius when in fact it may only be 30 degrees Celsius in the shade. Temperatures measured in the shade are the only accurate measurements which is why the weathermen measure that way.
Best,
BB.
Message posted by Lavinia on 10 July 2011 at 12:12am - IP Logged
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Jacky, of course Bruce is absolutely right about a few glasses of Metaxa but if you can remember to shut your shutters and windows as early in the day as possible and only open them up again after dark, you will find that your room remains cool. If you are in an apartment or house, this is even more relevant. However, do NOT leave your window open at night unless you have a mossie screen as they will devour you. I would suggest bringing out a few yards of muslin to drape over your shut shutters if there is no mossie screen. It weighs nothing and takes up little room in your suitcase. I have absolutely no problem sleeping for at least ten hours every night here as it is so quiet. but I wage a war against mossies and have screens on every window! The other thing you can do is to buy some Vasilliki (small leaved basil) and put it in your window/by your bed etc. as it discourages mossies and smells amazing. Costs 1.50 euros in my local garden shop for a pot.
Message posted by Elliemay on 10 July 2011 at 12:13am - IP Logged
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Hi,
I was measuring in the shade! Put my clock on the table on our balcony which is in shade almost all day. The sun rises behind my house and the only time that I get direct sunlight on the balcony is between 5pm and 6pm Corfu time of an evening.
Lavinia, strange that you should say that, but I have been growing basil for culinary purposes on my balcony and only remarked to my husband last night the we had very few mosquitoes compared to other years.
I have one plant either end of the balcony, but it seems to do the trick.
Looks like I may need to grow basil instead of grass!
Message posted by Lavinia on 10 July 2011 at 12:17am - IP Logged
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So how do you suggest we get an accurate reading of the temperature in the sun BB? I think most of us who know Corfu well will know when it is exceptionally hot without having to resort to a thermometer but sometimes it is interesting to actually know in what temperature you have been standing like a ninny watering your beloved plants!
Message posted by janmanessi on 10 July 2011 at 12:18am - IP Logged
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I find that with the mozzie plug in and a fan I never get bothered by that awful 'hum' as a mozzie hones in on you! And I keep my windows open all day- although I agree with closing shutters etc,
Message posted by issos on 10 July 2011 at 12:22am - IP Logged
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Quote: Originally posted by mossa on 09 July 2011
Any hints how to avoid swollen feet and legs in the heat. I go through a lot of pain during my hols.
Mo
ps. I wear flight socks
Hi Mossa
One thing I do is at night while sleeping or trying to sleep I put a couple of pillows or cushions or towels under my feet to raise them up higher throughout the night and it reduces the swelling by morning.
Viv
Message posted by 2Tonsils on 10 July 2011 at 10:54am - IP Logged
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I agree that you do adapt to the weather after living here for a while...after seventeen years full time living here I get shivery once it hits 20 degrees!
I have adapted to having less central heating on here in the winter months, for shorter periods of time as well, as its too expensive to leave on for long periods like you would in the UK. We do make use of a good electric blanket in the winter and lots of layers of clothes during the day. The layers help if the weather changes suddenly and you have to shed a few layers or if you get hot walking somewhere.
When it is this hot I try to avoid being in the full sun and prefer to sit in the shade. Even there it has been very hot in the last couple of days.
I find that increasing the amount of WATER you take in helps prevent heat stroke and stops ankles and legs from swelling in the heat.
I bought a little plug in night light from Lidls last week that has a little mozzie zapper built into it...not seen one since! I must say, I have seen fewer mozzies this year than other years. One tip is to rub a light oil into exposed areas like arms and legs before you go out in the evening...they don't like landing on it to bite. It works great for me!
Message posted by Viv D on 10 July 2011 at 11:01am - IP Logged
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We use a mozzie net over the bed and plug ins.
I wouldn't like to sleep without my net over the bed, as our mountain house tends to get European Centipedes in it and we have had a couple of black scorpions. Wouldn't like to sleep with either of these
Message posted by Dextercat on 10 July 2011 at 5:57pm - IP Logged
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We fly out to Roda tomorrow for our 12th visit to the island in as many years, we try not to use air-con but reading how hot it is maybe for our first time ever we will!! We have hired fans in the past but found them noisy and near useless.
Message posted by razaker on 10 July 2011 at 11:28pm - IP Logged
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You`ve got me clock watching now never mind week or day watching till my next visit to Corfu. I just love it when its hot hot hot...please keep that sun stoked up till 1st of August.
Message posted by 2Tonsils on 11 July 2011 at 12:46am - IP Logged
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Viv...yes, baby oil...or the light oil from Avon (think its skin so soft). I bought some olive oil and aloe vera massage oil from Jumbo and its lovely, keeps the mozzies away and skin soft. I even have some relaxation massage oil from Body Shop which smells lovely and still keeps the biting things away from me. Obviously use sun lotion in the day to stop you from burning, but at night the oil is a trick that works for me.
Don't know if anyone saw tonights news but they said we are heading for 40 degrees in the shade....YOu mean this isn't the heatwave yet?
Tonight it was still 32 degrees at nine o clock. Stifling!
Message posted by Viv D on 11 July 2011 at 8:27am - IP Logged
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I will invest in some Aloe Vera or also there is a shop called Lush. I may have a look and see if they do some nice Oils. Do not test on Animals. Also delivery to Greece.
Quote: Originally posted by Lavinia on 10 July 2011
So how do you suggest we get an accurate reading of the temperature in the sun BB? I think most of us who know Corfu well will know when it is exceptionally hot without having to resort to a thermometer but sometimes it is interesting to actually know in what temperature you have been standing like a ninny watering your beloved plants!
Hi Lavinia,
You cannot get an accurate reading of temp in the direct sunlight - the characteristics of the thermomemter, colour, mercury/alcohol, bulb shape, all affect the reading by generating their own heat. And I sympathise with you re watering plants, it's hot work but reliable. When in the UK we have to leave ours to a watering system but they are not one hundred per cent relaible, so kindly neighbours have to come to the rescue!
Happy watering (wish we could be there to do ours!),
Best
BB.
Message posted by sooz on 15 July 2011 at 10:08pm - IP Logged
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Just got back from Ag Stefanos NW and I can confirm it was extremely hot! Driving through Corfu Town we saw one of the pharmacy thermometers hitting 42c. Whether it was accurate or not I don't know but It was flippin' hot.
We had decided to do without aircon this year due to the cost so made do with frozen water bottles wrapped up in a t-shirt but some nights it was hard getting to sleep and even harder staying asleep!
Sue
Message posted by Lavinia on 15 July 2011 at 10:27pm - IP Logged
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Thanks for your comments BB, but how do we know how hot it is (apart from the old ladies in black wandering around saying " O po po, seranda vathmous (40 degrees)!!? I have been told today that Sunday is going to be even hotter by one person, and by another that Sunday will be cooler but next week is going to be a scorcher (both Corfiots). So hold on to your hats folks, I think we are all going to wilt...I intend to spend my time inside my very cool hillside house or wallowing in the sea. What a hard life we all lead on Corfu! All my plants are still alive even though the evening watering chore becomes more and more onerous.
Message posted by Elliemay on 15 July 2011 at 10:42pm - IP Logged
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Hi,
Well I'm wilting already. Still sat here in a bikini as it is too hot to wear anything else. Yup, have watered my tomatoes and the garden yet again. I am loathe to put the air con on as I think that I will then not acclimatise to the weather. Just put it on for 10 minutes or so while I am reading before I go to sleep. Phew!!!
Message posted by Bev D on 15 July 2011 at 11:03pm - IP Logged
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Came back from Roda on Monday after 2 wonderful weeks. From Thursday 7th the temp. became unbearable. We had walked to Acharavi for lunch, the walk back was unbelievable. We drank nearly 1.5ltrs of water and collapsed in the 5 Roses as we passed. The next few days were the same. Too hot for the pool or beach. Just wanted somewhere cool, feet up and plenty of water. The hottest my husband and I had experienced in 6 years. Reminded me of the long hot summers when lived in Australia. Reminded me why I never want to go back.
Message posted by Jacky on 19 July 2011 at 10:06am - IP Logged
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Quote: Originally posted by BruceAndMaria on
Jackie..Try a few Metaxas..I can sleep all night fully clothed even in August after a night in Kostas Bar in Kassiopi
Bruce
Thanks everyone for the suggestions on how to sleep in the extreme heat...
Bruce, for scientific purposes only will conduct an experiment using Metaxa and local krassi... to see which is the best heat distributor..."clears throat"...sacrifices need to be made in the name of science!!
Jackie
Message posted by Barrow Boy on 19 July 2011 at 11:11am - IP Logged
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Quote: Originally posted by Lavinia on 15 July 2011
but how do we know how hot it is (apart from the old ladies in black wandering around saying " O po po, seranda vathmous (40 degrees)!!?
Hi Lavinia,
You only know how hot the sun has heated the environment by measuring the ambient air temperature ie the air temp in the shade. Any other reading such as temp taken in the sun is distorted in the same way as the ladies in black, stood in the sun they will feel it much hotter than ladies stood in the sun dressed all in white.
But humidity complicates it further as higher humidity will make it feel hotter - 40 degrees celsius in the Sahara does not feel as hot as 40 degrees in Corfu! Air temp in the shade is the measurement standard for something that can feel different to different people for many reasons.
Best, BB.
Message posted by Lavinia on 24 July 2011 at 9:28pm - IP Logged
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Thanks a lot for that BB. Very interesting and informative. I am always amazed that the temperature inside my house in summer is constantly fifteen degrees lower than outside (both taken in the shade) I suppose that is because I have so many covered terraces and also because I shut my windows amd shutters during the day? When autumn arrives, it is always difficult to remember to do things the other way round...i.e. to open all the windows and shutters to the morning winter sun to counteract the damp of the overnight dew! Never happy though, are we? Best wishes,
Message posted by sooz on 24 July 2011 at 10:03pm - IP Logged
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Regarding the closing of shutters during the day, we were in Ag Stefanis NW 4-15 July and the sun was heating up the metal shutters during the day, thereby making them act as radiators during the evening! We found it best to leave them open during the day and only have the windows (double glazed) and curtains close!
Sue
Message posted by Lavinia on 25 July 2011 at 1:15am - IP Logged
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That is why you need wooden shutters which absorb heat rather than radiate it! I had a big discussion with our architect years ago about this very point. Slatted wooden shutters are best and double-glazed windows. Keeps heat out in summer and heat in during the winter. But that is only my view and I am sure many people will disagree with me.
But the shutters and windows I keep closed all day are all under roofed terraces so are not exposed to direct sunlight, it just keeps the heat outside,rather than letting it in.. It all really depends on the design of your house. My house faces east so gets the morning sun, but all east-facing windows are covered by roofed terraces. I have two south facing windows, one of which is covered by a terrace. The rest are west facing on to a hillside so the sun goes down early and the three facing north get little sun. You need a really good architect to sort out this problem before you start to build a house here. The architect should also take into consideration the prevailing winds/weather in winter to give maximum protection from the torrential rain.
I am sure this comment will produce a lot of comments from people who are far more expert than I, but everyone who visits us in high summer always remark on the coolness of our house inside, even in searing temperatures.
Message posted by Graham T-A on 25 July 2011 at 2:23am - IP Logged
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If I close my metal shutters the heat comes in as they get hot and if I shut the double glazing the sun shines in and it gets warm but if I shut both it remains very cool in the house. About midday I open them up and close the ones at the other side of the house. It seems to work very well.
Message posted by sooz on 25 July 2011 at 9:19am - IP Logged
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Yes Graham - we did this before going out during the day. However the maid would come in and open the double glazing, leaving the metal shutters closed thereby ruining our efforts to keep the apartment cool!
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