When was it? When I was a lad we always seemed to have proper summers (I mean with actual sunshine) but I can't remember any like that since 1995. Surely that can't be right?
Yeah, it was 2006. Every one since then has been miserable.
2003 was blazing hot. I remember having a kickabout in the park and I fell over and scraped a load of skin off my knees and shins, because the ground was like concrete.
Stig, totally agree what a summer, long hot days and nights, Dartford Heath alight, Thornton Heath was still burning in the winter underground. Actually in hindsight was a momentous year in my life, scored my first 50 and got my first 5 wicket haul, started working in refrigeration which eventually led me to owning my own company and, oh yes got engaged which led to 34 years of ..........
Yep, 2003 had a very hot spell. Remember being in UK for some of that summer and realising how nothing is set up to deal with that level of heat! No a/c, melting roads etc. Roads unable to handle the mass exodus from the cities to the coast on Friday afternoon. That said everybody was walking about smiling - amazing what sunshine will do....I recall, according to media, a record number of pints of lager were drank over a particularly hot w/e. Also made me realise that if UK had half decent weather it would be an unbeatable holiday destination!!
1976 was a great summer, endless sunshine, water shortages, England v West Indies (Viv, Andy Roberts & Michael Holding, Knotty & Grieg). All played out on the golden acre in Bexley Village - which was frazzled..........
OK. I've been to the Met Office website and here is the official record of the number of hours of sunshine each summer since 1990 (with 1976, the hottest summer that I can remember, thrown in for comparison). It confirms pretty much what everyone remembers, with 1976 way out in front. 2006 had a relatively low amount of sunshine in May and August but a blistering June and July. All summers since then - six of them in a row - have been shite.
Yeah, 1976 was the mother of all summers. I remember the water in Studland Bay being almost bath temperature. More like the Seychelles than the English Channel. I think 2006 was pretty decent though. This year, well I haven't even dusted off the barbie yet - truly shocking.
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2003 & 2005 were both decent too.
2003 was blazing hot. I remember having a kickabout in the park and I fell over and scraped a load of skin off my knees and shins, because the ground was like concrete.
a few years back too...............I remember shops selling out of electric fans it was that bad.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3138865.stm
1976 was a great summer, endless sunshine, water shortages, England v West Indies (Viv, Andy Roberts & Michael Holding, Knotty & Grieg). All played out on the golden acre in Bexley Village - which was frazzled..........
Year Hours of sunshine (May– August)
1976 997.6
1990 972
1991 734
1992 793.4
1993 794.8
1994 871.3
1995 964.5
1996 916.6
1997 846.1
1998 833.5
1999 899.7
2000 858.8
2001 916
2002 768
2003 920.2
2004 859
2005 900.5
2006 884.1
2007 745.1
2008 725.4
2009 721.1
2010 663.2
2011 709.2
2012 285.1 (May & June only)
Don't you just love statistics!
Wonder how long it will be before someone blames the EU!
But if only they looked out of the bluddy window - they'd see it's been grey dismal and pissing down for the last 3 hours.
Met Office weather forecast = clueless.
Or perhaps they just made it up because they hate Monday mornings?
I think 2006 was pretty decent though.
This year, well I haven't even dusted off the barbie yet - truly shocking.