For a couple of weeks now, I have been hibernating in England.

Yesterday, we went to Dunstable, the area  I lived before moving to Canada. I cannot lie to you, everything seemed smaller.

These were my first impressions upon arriving back and I could not shake the feeling that everything looked old.

It didn’t help that the school my daughter used to attend celebrated her centenary birthday recently. Even the National Gallery is gearing up for her bicentennial celebrations.

The brown brick buildings in my neck of wood look worn, tired and  perhaps even shipshape.

The people seemed older. Heck, I have grown older too!

But, I was home …. and that was what counted.

When you have lived in Edmonton, Alberta for a while, you are spoilt with the multiplicity of new builds, the scenery, the sheer beauty of the land and more.

Unfortunately, I don’t know too many spaces where new houses are being built in England.

I am sure there are very many of those spaces, I just don’t know them.

How would I?  I have been away and only just trying to settle in.

I have walked my daughter to all the different places and spaces we occupied.

She could barely remember. It felt like she had never been in the country, but she was born at the Luton and Dunstable Hospital.

We made our lives in Bedfordshire.

She remembered Wilkinsons, Primark, Tesco, DuneIm, Sainsbury’s.

I couldn’t brush off the nostalgia when we went to our favourite Chinese restaurant. The lady remembered me and what I normally order, it felt good to be back!

I am in rural England at the moment, every building is quaint and the people are kind and warm.

It’s very neighbourly here.

This is very much the great British life with ice cream vans and shirtless men.

It felt familiar seeing the pubs and when Femi – my daughter – tried fish and chips for the first time, she thought It was very oily:)

I am writing this from a cafe watching my daughter and her friends jump away at a trampoline park.

I have the perfect company with my laptop. It’s time for some work!

But the heat here is bizarre, I wonder what Edmonton feels like.

Funny, I spent many years here I don’t remember it being this hot.

On the BBC website, the temperature right now is 28 degrees. All in all, I am armed with a cold drink and I am delighted that I can work uninterruptedly for a couple of hours.

Remembering what last year’s summer looked like, here are some of the things you can do to cope when the weather is hot.

1. As much as you can, stay cool indoors. Thankfully, this trampoline place is air-conditioned so I am okay. It might be wise though to spend time with neighbours or in malls that have air conditioning.
2. Wearing lightweight, light-coloured and loose-fitting clothing is the way forward when the weather is this hot.
3. It might be helpful to use the oven less.
4. Cover windows with drapes or shades.
5. Drink plenty of fluids. Don’t wait until you are thirsty to drink. Avoid sugary, caffeinated or alcoholic drinks.
6. Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle, especially infants, young children or animals
7. If you have pets, keep them hydrated.
8. Try to keep out of the sun between 11 am to 3 pm
9. Drink plenty of fluids and avoid excess alcohol.
10. Cut down on exercise until intense heat waves reduce.
11. Plan your outdoor work carefully. Plan to work early in the mornings or in the evenings when it is cooler.
12. When outdoors, protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed har, sunglasses and sunscreen that says “broad-spectrum or “UVA/UVB protection.”
13. Look out for those who may struggle to keep themselves cool and hydrated – older people, those with underlying health conditions and those who live alone are particularly at risk
14. Stay cool indoors – many of us will need to stay safe at home this summer so know how to keep your home cool
15. .Make sure you take water with you if you are travelling

 

This week I re-imagined my life in England with no regrets.

It will always be home.

With Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s resignation, we know with certainty the people will elect the leader they deserve.

 

 

 

 

Tee Adeyemo curates content for Ladiescorner.ca. She is the Publisher of Ladies Corner Magazine. Originally from Nigeria, she spent two decades in England where she is visiting with family and friends.