Monday 17th June, 2013           1945

Another day where it has been 95 but feels like 107F but the difference today was that I had to examine the second halves of three classes. Two flasks of tea were drunk (English - Twinings) and a bottle of Fanta. The Fanta I froze overnight and which within an hour had melted and started to go warm. I really feel for the students because their dormitories must be ovens at night. This is reminiscent of waking up in an air-conditioned cabin and then going into a ship’s engine room in the tropics. The difference then of course was that I was young, now it knocks the stuffing out of me.

When I finished this afternoon I came home, cooled the place down (much, I suspect, to the disgust of the cats) and waited until some of the sun’s heat had dissipated. I took the dog for my usual two bottles at my outside office (the sweet pork place) then came back to the campus office outside the supermarket. Not long after I sat down with some bin pijou (cold beer) Joanna called. She had collected one of my packages - which turned out to be the Bisto so I hope the cheese isn’t languishing in transit - and she was especially grateful when I said I would come and collect her on the bike, she is feeling the heat as well and I do believe she will appreciate the use of my bike when I am away even if it is just to get to the south gate to take the 29 bus. That of course has gone from 1y a trip to 2y because the aircon is now running, although I can’t say how effective it must be when it leaves chock-a-block.

Nice easy day tomorrow with just a bit of afternoon work so the Fanta is in the freezer and yours truly is staying firmly in situ barring the late night loo outing for Pepsi.

Tuesday 18th      1250

At eight o’clock this morning when I took the dog out it was already a scorcher. Just now I checked the weather site and it was showing 97F but feels like 113F! I found out they were right when we went out for the lunchtime loo outing. Absolutely roasting but as the humidity is way down at 52% I never broke sweat, although quite what it will be like in the classroom this afternoon is anyone’s guess. I have the frozen bottle of orange pop which I don’t think will remain that way for long. I think it might be an idea if tonight I stick some gel packs in the freezer and for the remainder of the week use my cool bag. Oh, and the cheese arrived.

Wednesday 19th            1015

Well that was awful.

This morning saw the testing of the second half of Joanna’s class, without doubt the finest bunch any teacher could be blessed with. It was always going to be a sad affair because never again will I teach them but it was made a hundred times more emotional by some of the students themselves.

I don’t consider myself to be a top flight teacher (although in truth I could probably lay claim to being the most memorable they have encountered!) but the things they were saying at times truly choked me. God only knows what I will be like at their graduation dinner…..

Still, six classes to go and then it’s holiday time!

1815

After lunch was a trial. Although not as hot as yesterday at a mere 90F, the humidity has shot up to 80% so perhaps you can imagine the discomfiture I - along with most others here - experienced. There is rain on the way, which although it won’t do much for the temperatures should bring the humidity down. The trouble is I think it will rain on Saturday morning when I am due to spend a couple of hours at the little school. If the weather is fair it will be outside, if it rains it will be inside and I prefer outdoors because of the fresh air. Yes we do attract a sizeable audience of passing geriatrics but they cause no disturbance, they simply stand, stare and grin. Also if it rains Joanna may not want to come on the bike and I really would like her company that day for lunch. We shall see.

LJ and Email want to meet for dinner again so we have arranged it for Monday evening. I am now trying to find a girl who is not going to be doing last minute swotting for the other exams commencing next week. LJ reckons the place we are going has many different varieties of ales, so I am curious to try them!