2.07.2025 Fish.

 ~o~

  Wednesday 2nd 72F/22C [7.45] Bright sunshine and breezy. On its way to over 30C/86F. The whole of Europe is baking in record heat. Expected to end in local thunderstorms tonight.

  Up at 6.30 after numerous failed attempts at lift off. A fair night.

 The greenhouse and its pond water are at 70F/21C this morning. After leaving it open all night to cool off. A comfortable 73F/23C in the living room.

  7.45 I ought to go for a walk before it gets unpleasantly hot. 

 8.30 75F/24C. Don't laugh, but the sun is already oppressively hot! It was delightful walking in the shade of the roadside regrowth. Where a playing field was converted to just another field. All the mature, roadside trees were cut down to the ground. To be replaced by dense and impenetrable natural [?] new growth of poplars. Which were already present by the roadside. The breeze added to the pleasure of this cooler corridor. The birds enjoy the nesting opportunities. Though it deprives the humans of a clear view of the forest perched decoratively on the hilltop. 

 A steep, nearby hill had been harvested and baled. Giving a renewed sense of scale to the landscape. This hill is regularly favoured by soaring birds of prey. Which, no doubt nest in the adjoining plantation of larch. The prairie in the foreground has yet to be harvested. 

 9.30 Cloud. A long chain of thunderstorms is sneaking past our location towards the NE. The tail should just miss us at around 10.30.

 11.20 82F/28C. Rather cloudy with sunny periods. The sky was dark to the north when I left. Humid and hot when the sun comes out. I disturbed a red kite in the lane. It was standing on the side of the road but took off immediately. 

 I am returning with six tiny goldfish for the greenhouse pond. I am floating their poly bag in the pond. To equalize the temperature. The dealer gave them a squirt of oxygen to ensure safe travel. 

 The moment they were released, after 20 minutes, they instinctively formed a shoal. Even though they came from three different tanks and were three different varieties.  

 13.15 85F/29.4C. Bright overcast and breezy. Highest temperature expected around 15.00. Pond water only 71F/21.7C. The great outdoors never became any hotter.

 Dinner was fried chicken, mushrooms and boiled potatoes. With a  few small tomatoes.

 9.15 Flashes of lightning started and rain. I closed up the greenhouse because the logs were getting wet. 

 

  ~o~