It's a record

Hi Everyone,

So while Britain is battered by storms and torrential rains for days with Sheffield virtually cut off and dams about to burst, Romania set a new record for its highest temperature ever recorded.

"Bucharest is Europe's hottest capital, with temperatures at 45 Celsius (113 Fahrenheit) "

It was blisteringly, unbearably hot on Tuesday this week. I have never experienced heat like it. Unfortunately neither have the Romanians which meant that so far 29 people have died of heat related causes. Bucharest had over 30 first aid tents set up with cold water and medical equipment.

On Tuesday evening we had the inevitable consequence of such heat - a violent electrical storm with tremendous winds. It was like a tornado suddenly came on the city. Huge clouds of dust were blowing about the place, rubbish and debris flew through the air and although there was surprisingly little rain there was spectacular lightning. It lasted for about two hours and at the end of it another 3 people had died in Bucharest from falling trees, flying debris etc.

Since then things have quietened down. No thunderstorms. No heavy rain. Just 34c - 36c every day and cloudless sunny skies. On Saturday I had a call from a friend, Carmel, who asked if I wanted to join her by her pool. You only need to ask me once! I was there in a shot. It is not actually her pool, but a communal one for the complex she lives in. But there surprisingly few people there so it was lovely and peaceful.

You will be delighted to know that this e-mail will be mercifully short! In less than an hour I am about to leave for Timisoara for a couple of days - yet another Tarom flight, goody!

Keep dry and I'll be in touch again soon.

All the best

Andrew.