Phew!

 The heatwave was forecast to come to an end over the weekend.

The BBB was monitoring things carefully up in Bristol, I was forming a puddle in Eastbourne and doing chores once the sun had gone down.

All in all, we decided that Saturday would represent the best day for me to travel to the shire.

It was still VERY warm in Eastbourne but the red alert was now confined to the south east and I was of course, travelling northwest.

The first morning update declared the flat finally habitable.

I checked trains and there were some cancellations but it looked manageable, especially if I wasn't too worried how long it took.

I left home at about 10.15 and ambled for a bus.  It was hot outside but fortunately the bus came quite quickly. Fighting my way through annoying tennis fans arriving at the station I strolled down the platform to the far end (terminus station so the far end is the front) and got on a 12-coach train about 15 mins before it was due to leave.

Aircon was ticking slowly so it was pretty pleasant. 

We left on time(ish) and the train filled rapidly so it was standing room only by Haywards Heath - still it was cool and pleasant and the fellow passengers were largely well-behaved.

When I got to Victoria, it was really crowded and I was once again reminded that midweek travel is a real luxury. Avoiding the crowds going towards the Victoria line, I decided to take the Circle line - this probed to be a sensible move.  The tube platform was stifling - like breathing the air venting from a tumble drier.

When the train eventually came I got on at the front and had to stand for a couple of stops but the design of the trains makes the inside a continuous space so people diffuse down the length of the train much more effectively.  The aircon was keeping it pleasant and I soon got a seat for the rest of the journey.  I was getting regular updates about trains from Paddington from the BBB (what did we do before the internet and the sheer volume of useful intelligence about trains to be found online).  There had been some cancellations and delays but I was told I may be able to get a train around 1.30pm.  I couldn't remember how long the Circle route from VIC to PAD takes so I did become a bit anxious - especially as it looked possible the 2pm to Bristol might be cancelled.

I popped up at Paddington with the 13.30 not yet announced for boarding and with just enough  time to pick up some lunch - unfortunately, nothing that was readily available on the main concourse looked remotely attractive so I didn't bother.  The BBB indicated that the train might go from platform 9 so I edged towards that side of the station and sure enough, the announcement came.

The previous train having been cancelled, the train was busy but not awful and then the journey was cool and relaxed (for me anyhow). By the time I arrived home at the flat there was a cold bottle of water and sandwich waiting for me.

The sun was starting to warm the flat up again so we went to the Barley Mow earlier than we normally would.

The first lovely pint of their 4% (or so) pale, seasonal special, was glorious and it felt, like all the world like no time had passed since our last pint there. The staff were telling us how hot it had been in the pub for the last few days and how they hadn't put on more guest cask because consumption was down. Made complete sense (we also know that their cellar can sometimes be challenged by superhot temperatures).

Obviously, most people were outside since it was much more pleasant than it has been so we were left in blissful peace in our favourite corner with the general bustle of people coming in, buying beer and going back outside again making sure the pub felt peopled but not awful.

The worst of the heatwave has now passed, the weather seems to be more normal for June.  I'm looking out at the sunshine from our 10th floor flat and enjoying, rather than dreading it.