The dog days of summer
“Phew, what a scorcher,” ran an old British newspaper headline – and never more appropriate. Southern Europe is enduring a serious heatwave, with temperatures in North Cyprus expected to rise to 43°C this weekend.
The monster weather has been made worse by an anticyclone name ‘Cerberus,’ after the fiery-eyed, three-headed dog that guards the gates of the underworld in Greek mythology.
Living in the eastern Mediterranean, one becomes accustomed to the blistering sunshine of July and August. Many head to the beaches for the welcome relief offered by the sea and the breeze … but the best option may well be to stay indoors during the day.
Air-conditioning is the chosen survival tool here- but it can prove very expensive to keep that “klima” running all the time. Fortunately, there are other ways to keep your cool.
Ceiling fans can provide instant relief and are a more economic option compared to AC. To cool a room without air con, close your curtains or blinds during the sunniest hours of the day.
Light bulbs – even if they are environmentally friendly – give off heat. Save yourself a bit of money on the energy bills whilst keeping the house cool by turning the lights off. The sun shines until the early evening anyway, so there’s no real need to turn the lights on until it gets really late.
Like light bulbs, your electrical appliances radiate heat so turn off the tech! Unplug your phone and devices and don’t be tempted to charge them overnight unless you absolutely have to. Switch off items that may be on standby too!
It’s the heat of the night that can really get to you though. It sounds crazy but try placing your sheets in the freezer for a couple of minutes before you go to bed. Make sure you place your sheets in a plastic bag before you pop them in – you don’t want your bed to smell like the frozen food you have stored in there. It’s only a quick fix but it will help give you a breather.
When choosing your home in North Cyprus, opt for stone floors or tiling, stick with cool colours, and, if you have a garden, plant tall trees to cast welcome shade.
