England is entering the second week of high temperatures. The southern area is on a stage three alert to care for vulnerable people. The figures have not yet been released, but the heat has caused hundreds of deaths and the ambulance service has received thousands of extra calls.
Unfortunately, here in Hertfordshire we have to lock our windows at night.
Unfortunately, here in Hertfordshire we have to lock our windows at night.
About five years ago, I heard a bang and click coming from the direction of the front door when I was sitting alone at night watching television. I assumed my husband had returned home from his job. However, he didn't appear. I became curious, and then apprehensive. Not much I could do, but I had to look at what had caused the noise.
We only have one point of entry so I couldn't slip away. I heard another noise.
I picked up my walking stick to use in defense and tip-toed towards the front of my home and the door. Nobody in the passage, so I checked the bedroom with one glance. Nothing illuminated by the street light outside. After a quick glance as I passed the bathroom, I entered my study and turned on the light. Nothing. I called, "Anybody there?"
How strange. Unsettled, I returned to my chair.
The next day, I noticed a pot-plant had been moved outside my study window. A few days later, a police officer knocked to ask if I'd heard or seen anything next door. The Artichoke Pub had been robbed. I hadn't, but I told the officer about the noise I'd heard in my flat. He went out to the garden and I pointed out moved the pot-plant. After inspecting the window, he informed me that there were leverage signs on the frame where someone had attempted to remove the glass.
Just goes to show that an old lady with a walking stick can deter a thief. And it also explains why we don't leave our windows unlocked at night to let the cool breeze in. I'm sure there are clever windows that allow air in while keeping burglars out, but we couldn't afford to purchase them.
We only have one point of entry so I couldn't slip away. I heard another noise.
I picked up my walking stick to use in defense and tip-toed towards the front of my home and the door. Nobody in the passage, so I checked the bedroom with one glance. Nothing illuminated by the street light outside. After a quick glance as I passed the bathroom, I entered my study and turned on the light. Nothing. I called, "Anybody there?"
How strange. Unsettled, I returned to my chair.
The next day, I noticed a pot-plant had been moved outside my study window. A few days later, a police officer knocked to ask if I'd heard or seen anything next door. The Artichoke Pub had been robbed. I hadn't, but I told the officer about the noise I'd heard in my flat. He went out to the garden and I pointed out moved the pot-plant. After inspecting the window, he informed me that there were leverage signs on the frame where someone had attempted to remove the glass.
Just goes to show that an old lady with a walking stick can deter a thief. And it also explains why we don't leave our windows unlocked at night to let the cool breeze in. I'm sure there are clever windows that allow air in while keeping burglars out, but we couldn't afford to purchase them.
The Pub has now been converted to a shteibel and maintains high security. We live downhill, on the left of the building. Drivers passing the former Artichoke pub on Elstree Hill North might well have cause for a double-take. For, although a pub sign remains, it now depicts a tallit-draped Jew, as befits the conversion of the historic hostelry into the Elstree Shtiebel. They don't use any electrical equipment for 24 hours on Friday. Someone knocks on our window to ask my husband to turn on and off their air-conditioning, lights etc.
My top ten ways to stay cool:
v Open all windows in the cool of the morning.
v Close them when the air heats up.
v Wear light, cotton clothing.
v Don't go outside in the hottest time of the day.
v Keep occupied by reading or writing.
v Wash face and hands often.
v Maintain fluids.
v Eat lighter meals.
v Keep a sense of humor.
How do you handle a heat wave?
My top ten ways to stay cool:
v Open all windows in the cool of the morning.
v Close them when the air heats up.
v Wear light, cotton clothing.
v Don't go outside in the hottest time of the day.
v Keep occupied by reading or writing.
v Wash face and hands often.
v Maintain fluids.
v Eat lighter meals.
v Keep a sense of humor.
How do you handle a heat wave?
RSS Feed
