Jolly nice weather we're having

The British love nothing better than commenting on the weather. It's what we do best, other than lose at football and drink beer. We have a spectacularly mediocre weather cycle - in the summer it's usually cloudy, perhaps some drizzle. Usually the same in the winter but with extra drizzle.

In fact, the UK has three types of weather: it's either raining, just rained or about to rain.

However, this summer has been very different. We've seen the sort of weather to make this green and pleasant land more like our close Mediterranean neighbours - it's been sunny. And bloody hot!

We are not used to such scorching temperatures, unless we're a regular visitor to Florida. People are having to water their weeds in their gardens to maintain that wild-flower look that is so popular. Cardigans and mittens have been put in storage. People are showing their knees in public - I'm even wearing shorts to work along with sock-less sandals. There's not a cloud in the sky for us to bemoan.

I'm not sure if this is the best summer we've had since the oft-remembered 1977, but it must be getting near to it. Our summer is usually relegated to a weekend in June but this year has seen some of the best, uninterrupted sunshine that I can ever remember in this country.

Sod the hosepipe bans and threats of a drought - get out there and enjoy it. And don't forget your suntan lotion.