This was one of the headlines plastered across London yesterday as we suffered in the sweltering heat. 

It’s true that the tube is unbearable.  On the way home yesterday I thought I was really lucky.  As I hit the bottom of the escalator there was a train in the station.  I jumped on and managed to grab myself a seat only for it to sit there for ten minutes before moving.  Of course, if I’d been lucky, I would’ve found a seat near one of the windows on the emergency exits at the end of the carriage.  Those windows are often the only relief to be found in the sardine cans.  But no, I was right next to the door with no window.  And it just got hotter and hotter.  A few stops later I was lucky – one of the seats near the door became free and I dived for it.  It seems Victoria Line trains actually have fans, and if you’re careful enough to sit on certain seats, you might just get a lucky blast of warm air.  Still, air movement’s better than hot, still air and a little goes a long way in this heat. 

For the most part I’m lucky with my regular journey to and from work.  Yes, the Northern line is one of the deepest in the capital and therefore one of the hottest, but it does have those blessed open windows and aside from travelling through the middle of the city, it’s not too packed.  Having learnt my journey well, I know when I can get a seat and sitting is nowhere near as bad as standing in the crush at this time of year.

And this was the headline greeting Londoners on this morning’s Metro.  I’ve experienced this.  It’s the same every summer and last night when I hopped on a bus that heater was blasting on my legs.  All you can think is “Help!  My legs are on fire!”  Next time I’ll remember that if I can walk it, that’s got to be the better option.  It’s really no good when it’s colder outside the bus in a heatwave, than it is inside. 

Of course you may just think I’m complaining about nothing.  31°C isn’t that high, really.  Well give me 31°C in Brasil over London anyday.  The problem with the heat here isn’t that it’s hot, but the muggy stickiness that comes with it.  The heat hangs thick in the air like clouds that weigh down on your shoulders.  Sure, the sunshine is great but there’s nothing nice about a London heatwave.  It’s no wonder we all try to get out of here come summer.