> a hot summer is a welcome change.

Hot, mebbe; hot and sticky, seriously *argh*. It's not just animals and plants that can't migrate fast enough to avoid the effects of global warming: houses without aircon can't, either. And the English have this endearing habit of stripping off (or at least down) when there's the least ray of sunshine, while Ozzies in our midst shake their heads in wonderment and run for cover. Ces Anglaises sont foux.

.... And another sign of sunny weather: A steam whistle, which suggests our local traction engine is being taken out for a walk.