Today is very nasty because of dust being blown in from the west. The ongoing drought has stripped the land of much ground cover and the topsoil is being blown out to sea.

Our normally expansive view across the valley had dwindled to our neighbour's house across the road, with nothing beyond - just a fog of brown dust. I am staying inside; the lurgy still hasn't diminished and I am coughing like a champion, dust would make it much worse.

At least it hasn't reached the forecast maximum temp of 37 deg C, so we can be thankful for small mercies. 33.7 tops so far.