Watch out, here comes a caniciule
Some of you will remember that in 2003 France had a major ‘canicule’ (heatwave) that lasted for several weeks – and that an estimated 15,000 people, mostly elderly, died as a result. Following that heatwave, France implemented measures to prevent the same thing happening again.
This week has been very hot in the south of France, often over 35 degrees, and the ‘anti-canicule’ measures have leapt into life.
If you are elderly it seems your name is now on a register of vulnerable people, which means that every 30 minutes, day and night, a kindly neighbour comes knocking on your door forcing you to drink five litres of water and to take a cold shower.
The news today reported that maisons de retraite (retirement homes) are now well equipped with air-conditioning, and as soon as the sun rises in the morning on it goes at full power, until the occupants have to go and sit in the baking sun just to escape from the glacial conditions indoors.
The news also showed an amusing film of over-zealous retirement home workers prodding the residents awake every time they took a nap, so they could take their temperatures and give them something cool and pink to drink.
I might have the details slightly inaccurate but you get the idea. I imagine that by now lots of old folk are barricading their doors against well-wishers bearing Evian, preferring to get a good night’s sleep instead.
I’m joking of course. Full marks to France for actually planning and implementing the ‘anti-heatwave’ programme rather than just talking about it at the time and then forgetting.
The same kind of thing happened with the big storm that hit south-west France in the winter – there had been a similar storm 10 years earlier, and they had put in place emergency measures in case it happened again, so when it did they had emergency generators etc at the ready and dealt with it (on the whole) very well.
Meanwhile back to the heat, and my own problem. Mrs B and the girls are away this week (Saint-Tropez!) so I have to cope on my own. I’ve been waiting for an attractive nurse to turn up and sprinkle cold water on my forehead, but unfortunately it seems I’m not in the age group that qualifies for help.
France has been buying electricity from Britain to power all this air con. It would appear that the nuclear power stations that are inland use river water to cool the plant. this has become too warm to cool, and the power stations have to be shut down.
The temp in my part of Norfolk ahs been arround 27C, but it has dropped today to about 24C. we have had some welcome rain for the crops and gardens. My village has open gardens this week end so there are about 11 private gardens to visit.
Looking forward to the tour it is on ITV4.
That’s interesting about the electricity, hope Britain has enough spare if it turns into a long hot summer.
We had a brief storm a couple of days ago and it’s a bit cooler here now as well, but I’m still on garden watering duties.
Enjoy your gardens, Mrs B has been visiting a few around Saint Tropez / Cannes this week while I’ve been here feeding the cat. Seems fair.
We visited 5 gardens today, one turned out to be a 3 mile round trip to a distant farm. A very old Norfolk farm in a dream location. very old established garden. The farmer is also a horse breeder so he showed us round his stables and the 11 horses he has at the moement.
We will do the rest tomorrow. ours is a linear village so it has been great to meet so many people and contacts. Its the first time we have done it and has been a great success.
The temprature has gone up again today to over 28C. i dont know about feeding your cat but my dogs are barking after all that walking today.
Enjoyed the tour location, must take my boat to Monte.
Mrs N is showing some of her paintings at a near by village next Saturday its their village ” open day ” so all sorts going on. we came to Norfolk for a rest but it is not quite working out that way. Family over the following week.and theother part the week after.Phew.