Skip Spence

I should imagine tens of thousands of people go on holiday for reasons other than sun-seeking. Although admittedly I'm not one of them.

Well thus far the result seems pretty conclusive with a general preference for the cold option. Wonder whether the consensus would look any different if a sample group of non weather-enthusiasts were asked a similar question. I've a feeling it might.

How was your summer, Jean? I'm guessing it was considerably better than here where it was disappointing to say the least.

For the purpose of this discussion, no other option I'm afraid; one or t'other. Phew, thought I was gonna end up in a minority of one. 45c is probably a bit hard-core for me though; I'll have 32-36c by day dropping to 20c at night. Bliss

I'm assuming that most (though by no means all) hereabouts would favour a hot sunny summer with a few storms thrown in and a cold snowy winter. But if in any twelve month period you were guaranteed only one OR the other, which would you take? For the record, I'll have the summer option. Though not averse to a spell of severe winter action, I invariably end up wishing it would just sod off after a couple of days.

Anyone know when the UK last experienced four colder than average winters on the bounce (if ever)?

21.7c and gin-clear. First cloudless day here since April; better late than never.

You might well have accrued some significant bad karma with that ill-judged act of arachnicide. Retribution is likely to be eight-legged.

Loads of crane-flies all over the outside of the house and a worrying number of large house spiders scurrying around in the evening. The freak I caught and evicted last night was so big it should've been paying rent.

Very disappointing here; cool, often wet and worst of all completely overcast most of the time. Although not as dire as 2007 and 2008, both 2009 and 2010 were significantly better, particularly the first halves of both. Summer 2011 - definitely one to forget.

This summer has been average here. June was bang on average in all aspects, 5 days above 25c and 1 day above 30c (reached 31c, highest since that very hot month July 2006). July has been pretty rotten in the past week or two but that does not equal a poor summer. Obviously things have been a lot worse in Scotland and north-west England but when I see southerners complaining just because the temperatures aren't soaring above 30C really annoys me, this is Britain remember! Anyway, don't worry, winter will soon be here A lovely day here by the way This is "the whining thread", established presumably for the purpose of complaining. If you're happy with what this summer's had to offer thus far, why are you here? Why not start a "let's hear it for the average british summer" thread?

sweet jesus. is it possible to get one cloudless day? just one. crystal clear early today but 90% cloud cover by 10.30......what a frickin surprise good morning

To my mind, our appreciation (or not) of the climate we enjoy (endure) here in the UK has nothing to do with "realistic expectations" and everything to do with one's personal preferences. If your ideal conditions in summer consist of 26c + and plenty of sunshine (and I'm certainly in this camp) then the bottom line is, we're destined to be disappointed most of the time. Let's be frank, for heat lovers an "average" British summer is crap and this one's no exception.

Why all the doom and gloom? Should have thought that was patently obvious. Although these conditions doubtless suit some, the overwhelming majority I think would relish the prospect of being able to pack away umbrellas and coats, get out and about in some warm sunshine and perhaps plan a barbeque or evening drink in the garden. Not looking very likely any time soon although I truly hope I'm wrong about that.

we may be just a fortnight into summer but all the indications suggest we are highly unlikely to enjoy any sustained sunshine/heat this side of July (and quite possibly beyond). that means at least a third of the season down the pan with the solstice disappearing in the rear-view mirror. hardly an encouraging start. it is of course quite possible that the second half may be a distinct improvement (though by no means a certainty) which would be very welcome with school holidays approaching. personally, my preference is to have the sunniest/warmest conditions in the first half (assuming that it's hardly ever gonna be settled the whole period). hey ho; guess we need to be realistic given that this is the UK and not Crete.

sweet jesus. middle of june, 11c and hammering down. even by our dubious standards that's pretty woeful. i'd probably consider selling my soul for two weeks of hot sunshine right now (without needing to board a plane to get it). towards the end of april elsewhere on the forum, a wise man observed that we would shortly be paying for the glorious conditions we were enjoying then. i seem to remember his being derided by some at the time. he was right.