Simon Marsh

EARLY IN JUNE I wrote of my delight upon early sightings of summer sunshine. We’ve had a great couple of months and I’ve enjoyed the café life I wrote of then. But, being English, there’s always more to be said of the weather … and I’ve been amongst those who’ve been wilting in the heat of the past few weeks. Have we become so wimpish that we can’t handle a bit of summer sunshine? - someone asked in the Times this morning. And I’ve got to hold my hand up. Yes. I’m one of those wimps. Or is it just that there’s a certain consistency in my approach to most any subject or condition? “Moderation in all things” my dear maternal grandmother drilled into her flock of grandchildren. And given the choice between sleeplessly hot nights, hot thinking, hot actions, or a modicum of wimpishness - and cooler moderation - I shamelessly and cheerfully opt for the latter.