6 Must Haves For A Great Summer In The UK 2012
Summer In The UK 2012 - it is summer now isn’t it? The clock on the computer screen says it’s Saturday 21st July. As I sit listening to the rain pelting down I can’t help but feel sorry for the next door neighbours! They had a go at patching the roof to their makeshift utility room this afternoon. The length of the lean-to is 4 corrugated sheets long. I could see a couple of gaping 5 inch holes around the edges and nails seemed to be what they had fastened the 2 new middle corrugated plastic sheets to the old ones with. I ask ya! I don’t know what he was thinking by leaving those big gaping holes but I bet he’s regretting it now eh?
And that just got me thinking about what’s needed for a great summer in Great Britain this year. So here in no particular order are my 6 must haves to make the most of this summer. I’ll be linking to where you can have a look and even grab these items if you’d like too.
1) Rain Gear
OK best get this one out the way first as I’m being constantly reminded of it with the gentle “pitter patter” on the window. I so wish for great weather but wishes seldom come true, and this summer in the UK means a sprinkling of rain; or a heck of a lot of rain which is most likely to be the case. The heading says “Rain Gear” and being geared for rain is a skill we’ve acquired over time. However it’s fa too easy to get cought out, we’ve all been there, and If you’re as old as I am you’ll remember the 70′s. We were once a nation of ever ready cagoule in a bag wearers! I had a lovely bright orang one!
These days the cagoule has been replaced by emergency plastic ponchos that cost less that a couple of quid each. They don’t look too cool but at least you say dry 
And if festivals are your thing, you are probably more used to seeing the popular US style waterproof festival ponchos. These are made of Nylon and will set you back £13.50 from Amazon or £35 – 45 at any festival! Gone are the days of having boring black or green wellington boots, brightly coloured cool and funky wellies will be seen on many a leg this summer. And with so many great designs at fantastic prices there’s no excuse to not treat your feet…
2) Route Plan
No matter what the weather is going to throw at us it’s summer and that means summer holidays whether it’s a coach trip to Brighton, Blackpool, Skeggy or St Agnes indeed any of our UK beaches. There’s plenty to see inland too, there’s the World Heritage Site of Stonehenge that’s soon to bee changed for the better, Longleat Safari Parks or a Historic exploration to uncover the secrets of Edinburgh caste. Wherever your heading this year more than any you are going to need to plan your route very carefully.
Why? The London 2012 Olympics duh!… The Olympics are going to play havoc with the majority of transport links, Trains roads and even short flights up and down the country are going to be at full stretch. If you are planning travelling by coach to any UK attractions you’d best keep a close eye on the National Express travel information.
If you have travel across the country by road be sure you leave with plenty of extra time and take water and snacks in the car, especially if you have kids, plan your stops too. It’s far better having a packed lunch at a spot meant for taking in the scenery that at the service station! If you have a TomTom it’s a great help for planning stops and avoiding the jams. I bought a cheap sat nav at Halfords for the trip to Sweden and back and it was a God-Send!
3) Olympic Spirit
There is no way you are going to survive with your sanity unless you embrace the Olympics. And to be quite frank , why wouldn’t you? It is a once in a lifetime event that you really don’t want to miss. I’m looking at my friends posting on facebook about their Olympic volunteering shifts and I’m feeling really left out 
[gone to sleep]
OK it’s now Fri 27th July 2012 (Olympic opening ceremony night) and I’ve had a busy old time with my two Leah & Kyle who are over from Sweden. I’ve hardly seen a computer screen. but I have had a look at what Olympic events we can get involved in. that doesn’t just mean going to the games. There is Olympic action happening all over the place.
There is Football in Coventry which my son Kyle is super keen to go and see, the tickets start from £20, that’s a great bargain. But for most of us the best place to catch the Olympic action is right in front of the TV or one of the big screens dotted around London if it’s close enough, if not, one of the Olympic big screens around the country. Where ever you choose just enjoy.
4) A BBQ
On those rare days of sunshine, there’s nothing that we Brits like to do more than break out the barbi and grill a couple of bangers and burgers. I know I said we need rain gear, but that doesn’t mean that it’s going to be all rain… We are on the backend of a week with no rain at all!
A Barbecue (or barbeque if you prefer) is on of the necessaries of “Summer Time.” I was in B & Q earlier today looking at the may middle aged couples scanning the £200 plus BBQ’s thinking suckers… You just don’t get the same experience cooking on gas, but if that’s what floats your boat knock yourself out. Me I’m a self built brick BBQ type of geezer. It’s cheap as chips, £15 it was for the actual grill tray, wire racks and supports and then just blagg a few breeze blocks! The instructions say use bricks but breeze blocks were cheaper and work just fine:)
Bucket style BBQ’s are another great favourite of mine too. You can grab and go with it in a jiffy. Take it to the beach, park or even out on the balcony one things for sure it’s going to tastes great! So check your coal supply and buy some skewers, here’s a quick recipie for a desert on skewers that rocks the BBQ…
Ingredients Needed.
Fresh Strawberries
Fresh Banana
Fresh Apple
Fresh Pineapple
1 Small in of Peaches
Warm Lemon-Curd to brushMethod
1) Peel and cut the pineapple, banana and apple into 3/4 inch cubes
2) Wash the strawberry’s and take the green heads off leave whole
3) Drain the peach juice off and cut the peaches into 1 inch pieces
4) Arrange on BBQ skewers and brush with the lemon curd
5) Stick them on the BBQ turning a few times until you can see the edges of the fruit start to caramelize.
5) Shorts
Now again don’t get this confused with anything to do with the football shorts and t-shirt brigade, Oh NO I’m talking about rocking a pair of shorts with style. I’m 47 and there’s nothing more ridiculous than seeing a middle ages man or woman for that matter in sports kit, when they obviously haven’t jogged a mile in 30 years if at all!
I’m talking about a neat pair of casual shorts that don’t leave you looking like the only tourist on the beach or even at the race course! When it’s hot you don’t want to be wearing jeans when you out ad about, there are loads of outlets and designs to choose from. Just don’t be seen wearing football shorts, it ain’t cool unless your on the football field! And while I’m at it if you wear socks and flip flops something has to be wrong with you!
But its not just shorts and on a serious note a couple of light short sleeve shirts that are not sports wear will go great with your new shorts. Have a stylish summer In The UK 2012 .. You never know when you may be caught on camera!
6) … List are often over rated…
Please do add your own must have’s for a great summer in the UK I know we all like it a little different.
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