Today we wore our wellington boots because gusty winds and heavy rain continued. On Stert Street, the surface water was splashed towards pedestrians and shops.
Surface water was also on this corner of Park Road and Conduit Road.
Lighter showers are predicted tomorrow.
The change from street to shop is startling during this heatwave. You hear people saying on going into the Co-op,’I’ll spend the day here.’
Refrigeration and air conditioning units must be using a lot of power.
The trees at the Square and Market Place give shade.
Other places are more exposed to the sun.
The Met Office recorded a temperature of 38.0°C at nearby Benson. Other parts of the country had record temperatures of over 40°C.
Walking around Albert Park, some of the trees had brown and falling leaves.
There were few people in the park: a half dozen people resting under trees, and me and somebody else walking, but no dogs. The grass has turned the same colour as the path.
Conduit House has scaffolding, probably for repairs on the roof. Plants have been seen trying to grow through the tiles.
The hottest part of the walk felt like waiting to cross Stratton Way when the sun concentrated its rays on my neck for two minutes. Does anybody know if this was the hottest ever Abingdon temperature? You cannot measure it near the BBQ.
Monday is typically the busiest day in Abingdon. The prospect of high temperatures today meant the Monday Market in Abingdon was quiet. Some stalls didn’t open, and people mostly stayed away.
The fish van came down from Grimsby with its built-in refrigeration.
The bread stall braved the rising temperatures.
St Nicolas was a cool place to be with the thick stone walls and small windows keeping it cool. The Co-op was another. The chiller cabinets kept the aisle temperature well below outside.
The Open Air Pool has been filled with water but will not open until the 25th of July. Exams are over for many young people, and some were swimming in the River Thames nearby. By the afternoon, there was more of a breeze.
As forest fires endanger life and property in France, forecasters forecast more heat in Abingdon tomorrow. The museum will be closed, and there will be no Preston Road Community Centre Bingo. A few town centre shops are closing early today and tomorrow.