Soundtrack to a scorcher: my favourite sunshine songs
Greetings sunny pop-pickers, in an effort to encourage the sun this summer here's the first installment on the heliotastic hymns that light up the canon of pop. Sunshine Superman by Donovan (1966)

Sunshine came softly through my a-window today
Could've tripped out easy a-but I've a-changed my ways.

It surely captures something of the unique feeling of sunshine, and how it can make magical an ordinary day. The jangling sitar opening, and psychedelic lyrics open a sunny window onto a moment in popular cultural history. By equating hedonistic sun-worship with psychedelic head-expansion, it reminds us that, even pallid, puny Scottish folksters could feel the rays emanating from California. The first brand of LSD was called 'Sunshine' (1967), and all those flipped out hippies soaking up the sun and giving out the love in Golden Gate park were simply Letting the Sunshine In.

Turn on, tan-in, flop out.

5th-dimensional Ultraviolet Light baths? Bring 'em on
I've just learned of the following, and am decidedly miffed:

"Last week the Earth was bathed with a colossal influx of 5th-Dimensional Ultraviolet Light. This shaft of Light interpenetrated every electron of precious Life energy for approximately 17 hours. This powerful influx of Light accelerated one-millionfold the Etheric frequencies of the mental and emotional strata of Earth. During that time, this acceleration had the effect of amplifying Humanity's thoughts and emotions one-millionfold as well.

Lightworkers around the world took advantage of this rare opportunity and empowered hopes and dreams for themselves and for all Life on this sweet Earth. Now what should we anticipate from this gift of Light? How can we expand the beneficial effects?..." [It continues at:
http://www.thecosmicchurchoftruth.net/art-whattoexpect.htm ]

What's more to the point: how did I miss this? What on earth was I doing when, this cosmic sun-bathing opportunity presented itself? I suppose it's for the best. I don't think I have an SPF high enough for this stuff by the sound of it. And I suppose the same rule as US Sci-Fi films applies here, anyway - that aliens and SurroundScreen Armageddon only visit the US of A. Bloody typical...

This is mad. It's February, and I've just heard an ice cream van trundling down the Hackney Road.

Scorcherwatch 2008 is on. Send in sightings, hearings and intimations of Summer to us here...

Flip Flops in February

I trust the picture says it all....

That's the spirit: East Londoners get some early training for the summer season (London Fields, 09/02/08)

What a weekend, and what a gladdening spectacle. The sun fhas been glorious for the last 3 days. It topped fifteen degrees in London, and it's still only February. I spent most of it basking in my open window, shielded from the breeze, and feeling the quickening of my blood as the sun did its magic. The sun is too low on the horizon for UV rays to penetrate the atmosphere at this time of year, but something was working to lift me up. Maybe the warmth, or the idea of it. What does it matter? it did the trick.

As the sun slipped below the flats opposite I went in pursuit, and found it and what it bestowed blessing East London. Broadway Market was teeming with trendies lapping it up as they spilled beerily across the the road on Saturday. London Fields was packed with sun-baskers - can they be bathers if fully clothed? - who moved around the park in pursuit of the sun. A reminder, if one were needed, that this is truly a nation of sun-worshipers determined not to waste a drop. Even in February.

I'd love to state that this bodes well for the Summer Campaign, but am all too aware of the false promise of last spring. The warmest sunniest April was followed by an unspeakable excuse for a summer. Let's ensure it get's it right this year...

Don't ban patio heaters, ban the lousy summers that compel us to need them

As if it wasn't bad enough that they hoard all the sunshine, other nations of the EU now want to remove our lifeline to the lifestyle they take for granted. A call to ban patio heaters outside pubs in Europe: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7219565.stm

Yes, they are the mark of our shame, branding us as a nation denied its right to a proper summer. Yes, we'd like to relegate them to the museum, and proudly instal where they once stood, the brazen barbecue that betokens successful outside living. But until we have the kind of summers those other nations who are plotting this ban luxuriate in (and even complain of), then we must cling to these ignoble crutches like drowning men to the wreckage. Let those same sun-rich plutocrats spend a summer attempting to enjoy their cafe society without these solar safety nets, and see if they are still so keen to ban them.

Last 'summer', I spotted an heroic sight outside a London pub. The parasols were being used as umbrellas, the patio heaters were on full blast, and a plucky crowd sat through the deluge determined to enjoy their drink outside. And this was before the smoking ban. These are our rights. And we will fight to the death to defend them...