The heat has really been on this week and with the imminent arrival of guests, we felt prompted to buckle and invest in a window air-conditioning unit. I'm sure, as Brits at home, we used to tut at the stereotypical idea of wasteful Americans living, driving and working in an air-conditioned world. Still, we hadn't yet experienced the prolonged heat and humidity of a US summer, along with the construction of US houses, which seem to provide as much defense against the heat as a tent, or possibly a glasshouse. Anyway, the unit has provided some relief, reaching to about half way up the stairs, where you encounter a solid wall of heat.
Fortunately for us and our guests, Exile #1's parents, things have got a little more comfortable lately and along with their company, we have begun exploring local trails and revisiting some of our favorite places so far.
We haven't seen them for about a year, so it is a great excuse for some celebratory lobster eating. The local bugs are enjoying quite a feast too, with Exile #4 as the most popular item on the menu.
Other things to sweep through this week include friends from our former home, who we took to the local beach for a fun afternoon and Hurricane Arthur, not quite a hurricane by the time it reached us but producing plentiful rain, gusty winds, impressive waves and new-to-us weather warnings. High surf and rip tide warnings both featured this week, the former described in terms that seemed to come out of a horror movie, involving waves suddenly rushing up onto the beach and dragging away innocent bystanders only to dash them against the nearest rock. No-one does drama quite like the National Weather Service.
Oh and, of course, it was the 4th of July, a day we celebrated by driving headlong into an Independence Day parade. Awkward!
Good to see what you are all up to in Maine! It sounds less dangerous and possibly less exciting in Essex UK! Cousin A
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