h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

This weather is fantastic. Even here in Scotland we've had days of 33C. In the countryside there's a breeze, greenery to soak up the rays and rivers to leap into at hot intervals.

I love the feeling of being warm (ok, hot) all over, without any cold extremities.

And the feeling of skin and air being in real contact.

And having to wear sunnies.

And a hat.

And I know it's really lacking in sense, but I do love my skin when it gets a wee bit of colour in it. (All the social conditioning of the 60s and 70s just won't wear off, even though I know better.)

The garden is really spectacular thanks to the heat, although I've had to water the veg beds for the last 2 months. (No hint of water restrictions here and therefore no associated guilt about getting the hose out.)

My obsession is growing fruit and veg, so I'm in heaven this year. If you can't get it right in 2003, you're doomed I'm afraid.

It's a safe obsession - one of the least contraversial in the universe I suspect. OK, it can be tedious, mysterious and boring for some, but for fellow-foodies (of whom there are a comforting number about), it's a joy to meet another gardener.

We sit and discuss the merits of different sources of manure (horse vs chicken especially); varieties of marrow, pea, beetroot, apple; the best time of day to sow lettuce seeds (2pm); the most innovative way of cooking a potato or a damson; organic vs chemicals.

It may sound sad to some, but I have the power and the knowledge to feed myself. Who knows when that might come in useful?

And gardening (well, harvesting this month) in 30C+ is perfect.

One happy Frenchbean.


The real trouble with all of this is that it WON'T LAST.

But I shan't contemplate that just now. The sun is still shining and the nights are still long, the beans need picking and there's iced cucumber soup to make.