Officially the coldest house in the country
A couple of weeks ago (23rd January 2009), Radio 7 broadcast a programme in its Strange Weather days (Forever Freezing) series, about the frost hollow of Rickmansworth.
Apparently, Rickmansworth boasts the largest single day temperature change on record - the temperature swung from 34 °F to 85 °F on 29th August 1936 and such a change has never been recorded since. Due to the valleys, the railway cuttings and all sorts of other things, Rickmansworth has lower night-time temperatures than anywhere else in England and Wales. This makes it the coldest place in the country - and about as cold as the Aberdeenshire plateau. I can't imagine there's any house in the town colder than ours, so I conclude that we officially live in the coldest house in England. No surprises there, then.
The upside (if you like hot weather!) is that Rickmansworth is also "the most continental spot in the UK". It boasts cold nights and hot days in summer, with temperatures regularly over 35° C in April, May and June.
The programme excitedly debated the day when it hit 42°C, the"constant frost" and the associated problems for gardeners. One woman said wrily that estate agents don't mention it when you move here - and it occured to me that Quentin didn't either. He was probably too busy explaining how close we now were to my mother-in-law and his Scout group. ;o)
Ah well. The valleys may make it freezing cold, but they also provide fantastic slopes for sledging - which we thoroughly enjoyed on Monday morning.
Apparently, Rickmansworth boasts the largest single day temperature change on record - the temperature swung from 34 °F to 85 °F on 29th August 1936 and such a change has never been recorded since. Due to the valleys, the railway cuttings and all sorts of other things, Rickmansworth has lower night-time temperatures than anywhere else in England and Wales. This makes it the coldest place in the country - and about as cold as the Aberdeenshire plateau. I can't imagine there's any house in the town colder than ours, so I conclude that we officially live in the coldest house in England. No surprises there, then.
The upside (if you like hot weather!) is that Rickmansworth is also "the most continental spot in the UK". It boasts cold nights and hot days in summer, with temperatures regularly over 35° C in April, May and June.
The programme excitedly debated the day when it hit 42°C, the"constant frost" and the associated problems for gardeners. One woman said wrily that estate agents don't mention it when you move here - and it occured to me that Quentin didn't either. He was probably too busy explaining how close we now were to my mother-in-law and his Scout group. ;o)
Ah well. The valleys may make it freezing cold, but they also provide fantastic slopes for sledging - which we thoroughly enjoyed on Monday morning.
posted by Helen at 2/04/2009 12:38:00 pm
3 Comments:
The sledging makes it all worthwhile. I'll post you my thermals. Jen x
Hey both
Good luck for the 'trip' this time. We were thinking of photocopying various parts of our collective anatomies so that Q would have an envelope to open each day saying 'what an arse'etc but on reflection we didn't want Q to feel worse than is absolutely necessary.
So, be glad you missed that and be as brave as you always are. We'll think of you lots and lots and send you all our good wishes over the ether to Manchester. Lots of love JAJA xxxx
Hello "Auntie" Helen,
Every time I read your blog I am reminded what a very special person you are. Despite Quentin's unfortunate health problems and the tremendous pressure you must all be under, you always sound upbeat and positive. I truly hope that Quentin fully recovers and you can all get back to the idylic life you deserve - best wishes to him.
Keep writing and seriously think about a book!
From an old and not always communicative friend.
Love "Uncle" Simon x
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