Gilly Flower

It was 38 degrees today, so I'm still dripping over the keyboard. There is the promise of a thunderstorm as I write, but to be honest it's not looking too likely at the moment from the view outside my window.

J and his girlfriend had got the Greens stall all set up by the time I arrived at the Hillwood River Festival shortly after 8.30am. They'd scored a fantastic spot close to the jetty, next door to the mobile coffee van, and opposite the berry pancake van. Perfect! We also had some shade thanks to MB's loan of an umbrella.

Cloud cover meant it didn't get really hot until around 11am, which is also the time when the crowds started arriving in force. Just in time for some of the river races. Kim Booth (Bass Greens' MP) and Kerin were unexpected arrivals, rocking up in their fancy red vintage open-topped jaguar (I think, but not a car buff), and their presence certainly made a difference to how many people stopped by.

I'd planned on leaving around midday, but that wasn't really possible given the crowds. The first suggestion about going for a swim was made by J's girlfriend, but somewhat wistfully since she didn't have her bathers with her. Neither did MB or I, but we decided what the heck, we'd go in anyway. Others were going in fully dressed, and towels were hardly necessary - we'd drip dry in no time. A looked dubious (she is only 20, and probably more image conscous than us!), but she and J joined us in the end as we scrambled down the rocks and into the river.

It was bliss to submerge in cool water - which was saltier than I expected even though the Tamar is tidal - and cool off completely.

Now I know that the river is safe to swim in off the Hillwood jetty I'll be doing it again. Possibly even tomorrow if this heatwave continues.