I had some guests last spring from the US. They couldn't understand why so many windows were open, even though it was freezing outside!

I don't understand this either - why have your central heating on but leave the windows open????

My mum used to do that - I couldn't understand that either. She said she needed the fresh air! It's a total waste of energy - yet my mum was never a wasteful person - she was always very good with managing money in every other respect.

Which reminds me... I'm probably going to need to go to a charity shop when I get to the UK to get some 'winter' clothes, or go to Goodwill while I'm still here, because I have NO winter clothes at all...LOL I just haven't needed any here in Arizona. Even in the middle of winter I've walked around in shorts and a t-shirt. I have a couple of cardigans and that's about it ! Yikes !

Even when I went to the UK last year a friend loaned me a jacket and a sweatshirt which was more than enough, but I will need to get my own this time.

When I lived in the US, my warm clothes and clothes like jeans lasted for ever because I'd hardly ever wear them. Here, my shorts and t-shirts hardly ever see the light of day and now THEY last forever!

We should organise a clothes swap shop for those coming and going UK-US or UK-Australia!

Hi Whofan

I am currently living in W Mesa and not looking forward to the temperature going up this week to the mid 80's. I am off work for the week so that I can spend spring break with the 5 year old.

Sweaters: just get a couple from Goodwill or Savers until you get home and then go to the charity shops and pick up a jacket. When we went back to the Uk in March 2011 I remember a month before hand I went to burlington's and bought a rainproof with extra zip out liner jacket for $40.00. This was ideal as it was chilly for a couple of weeks and then it warmed up.

Just enjoy being back home.

I judged a dog show in Mesa in the grounds of a hotel in Sept 2011.....we judges were almost passing out with the heat and I thought Texas was bad.....

This is the beginning of my fourth summer here and it will not cool down again until around October.

By August when it hits 110+ I am finished, you end up being a prisoner in your home.

Those poor dogs must have been hot, here quite a lot of dogs are left outside in the yards whilst the owners are at work!

It's a pity those of who live in Mesa never got together. Whofan63 is soon departing and my goal is to leave but not for at least 6 months.

Just for a different slant on things. There is heat and then there is UV. In NZ I would hardly venture outside between 10.00 am and 5.00 pm in the summer because the UV would hit 13 and plus. Never that hot but if you go for a daytime swim in chilly water you cannot (if relatively fair skinned) warm up in the sun because you burn in just a few minutes. My first job was in a plant nursery and I remember getting home to my bedroom and closing doors and curtains to get out of the intense light. In 2010 even with sunglasses my eyes would start to hurt while driving.

Lack of regular sunlight is what brought a US friend of mine back from York after 2 years there with her OH. After being in Florida for 15 years, I love it on the rare occasion when we get an overcast day. I really don't think I will miss it that much.

I think all of those of us in Arizona should try to get together. Pick a location central and all meet up for a drink or two. I'm in Goodyear/Litchfield Park.

One time when we traveled back from North Carolina in summer time I had to go to UK charity shop to buy shorts, it was much warmer here in UK than I had expected.

Hi Mrs Bucket (or should that be bouquet???) LOL

I nearly cried when I saw on the news last night that it's supposed to hit 90 degrees on Thursday I'm so glad I won't have to put up with another Summer.

I took a trip to Goodwill yesterday and grabbed a couple of things to tide me over, just so I don't end up loading up my suitcase and just in case it's still chilly when I land. So one lightweight jacket, sweater and another pair of jeans all added up to $15.00

Well at least I will be covered for that eventuality..LOL Have enough warm weather clothes !

Not a bad idea ! Probably find it's mostly warm weather gear wanting to be swapped for cold weather gear..lOL