A Hot Day In Oberwart.

The temperature getting close to 30 degrees.

And just like that summer showed up today. It is and was hot, almost uncomfortably though. Driving meant having both windows open in order to cool off those moments of having had the car parked in the sunshine. Yes, sunshine everywhere with nary a tree seen on any of the parking lots. Supermarkets and shopping centers didn't think that one through.

Again I chose Tuesday instead of Wednesday ( pensioner's day and market day ) to avoid the crowds yet, there they were. People everywhere on foot or by car. What on earth? Officially we are still in a lockdown and only on Monday the 19th will that be over. Gosh, what will town be like then?

The ice-cream shops are in business again and even here in Oberwart they had a long queue along the pavement outside their take-a-way window. Nearby benches morphed into advertising boards what with folks devouring cones of ice cream. I was quite tempted but didn't have the time to stand and wait my turn.

Today was the first time I ventured forth without a jacket, only a t-shirt. That's how warm it was but as nice as today's hint of summer was, the thought of what lies ahead of us from June to September seems a bit daunting. Every year since we've been here the summers have progressively felt hotter. They said the other day that last summer Austria had the most  days ever of where the temperature rose above 30 degrees. Remember, a Northern Hemisphere summer shouldn't be as hot as a Southern one, but there isn't much difference anymore.

Yes it is hot, but there is nothing better than getting that first feel of a summer's day.  The air smells and feels different almost as if the stuffy winter's air had been filtered out. Here's to a good summer ahead.

Biggi