Scorchio!

Following the end of the rainy season the temperature in Shanghai has soared,  Most days it is in the mid 30s and every so often it's hitting 40.  Earlier this week we had a bit of a storm and it cooled (!) off to 28 degrees!  We are not finding it as bad as we have thought and are adapting to it by taking life slowly - like the locals.  I have also gone a bit native and use a parasol!  It is brilliant and makes it more bearable and is UV 40!

Other ways of cooling off include air con shopping centres and soft play areas, although they are still a little hot.  Apparently they are waiting until the real heat in August kicks in before cranking it up!

A few of us have been meeting at Lisa's for play dates and she has had some great activities to do including making rice crispie cakes.  Although a lot of the mixture ended up getting eaten!

We have held a few play dates at ours.  The main entertainment we offer is a great view of the building site next door!  It has proved quite a hit.

It has also provided us with an education in the health and safety laws of China:  there are none!  One thing Chineses builders are though is fast.  There was nothing the other side of the wall when we got here in January!  The other morning as we were watching the progress Oliver suddenly noticed that one of the builders was urinating off the roof of the house all over the power cables!  William and Oliver delighted in giving him a big wave!

Another good hot weather activity is messy play, it is the reverse of the UK.  We use all of our wet weather activites in the summer!  It can get a bit too messy at times!

At Lisa and Darren's compound they have an outdoor pool we can use and it's only a five minute walk.  William and Oliver cooled off in there with Henry and Charlie.  I can see we will be going there lots this summer and recomending it to our all of our visitors!

And of course if it really is too hot, there is always ice cream!