THERE is much to be said for the British summertime.

Some bemoan the lack of sunshine and persistent rain while others view the cold weather as much as part of our national identity as fish and chips.

In fact we must view our temperate weather as a blessing.

Indeed with the weather never too warm or necessarily too cold our little corner of the world can enjoy some of the best of both worlds.

Of course upon the first good weather of the year we are all taken by surprise despite the warnings of the Met Office.

Perhaps we do not truly believe the predictions of the experts and would rather not curse it making plans like a trip to the beach just in case.

However each year we are all caught somewhat on the hop and forced to dig deep into the cupboards to find our summer clothing buried deep inside and unseen and forgotten since last year’s hotter days.

Others will be even less prepared and be forced to make a quick trip to the shops to buy shorts and flip-flops.

Plans will be made and swift trips to the beach will be undertaken like a military operation.

However just a few days later and the heatwave ends and all the excitement, or suffering depending on your disposition, will be over for another month or two.

However do not throw away those flip-flops just yet as another heatwave is surely just around the corner so be better prepared this time.

County Times: Summer flowers after summer showers. Picture by Morris Minor.

Summer flowers after summer showers. Picture by Morris Minor.

County Times: Sunset over Guilsfield. Picture by John Firth.

Sunset over Guilsfield. Picture by John Firth.

County Times: A touching moment at Llandrindod Wells lake. Picture by Garth Maul.

A touching moment at Llandrindod Wells lake. Picture by Garth Maul.

County Times: Leucistic Red kite at Gigrin. Picture by Steven Weekly.

Leucistic red kite at Gigrin. Picture by Steven Weekly.

County Times: All friends together. Picture by Elaine Davies.

All friends together. Picture by Elaine Davies.

County Times: Stunning skies. Picture by Sarah Humphreys Evans.

Stunning skies. Picture by Sarah Humphreys Evans.

County Times: The Montgomery Canal near Belan. Picture by Gary Williams.

The Montgomery Canal nCounty Times: Residents of the Monty Canal. Picture by Gary Williams.

Residents of the Monty Canal. Picture by Gary Williams.

County Times: Sunset in Churchstoke. Picture by Rob Carolan.

Sunset in Churchstoke. Picture by Rob Carolan.

County Times: Purple and pink skies. Picture by Karen Brown.

Purple and pink skies. Picture by Karen Brown.

County Times: Afon Elan. Picture by Terry Holloway.

Afon Elan. Picture by Terry Holloway.

County Times: The coolest sheep in the Elan Valley. Picture by Garth Maul.

The coolest sheep in the Elan Valley. Picture by Garth Maul.

County Times: The legendary Cantlin Stone in Kerry Forest. Picture by Terry Holloway.

The legendary Cantlin Stone in Kerry Forest. Picture by Terry Holloway.

County Times: Trefeglwys under blue skies. Picture by Jonathan Rudd.

Trefeglwys under blue skies. Picture by Jonathan Rudd.

County Times: An old water fountain in the Elan Valley. Picture by Mick Pleszkan.

An old water fountain in the Elan Valley. Picture by Mick Pleszkan.