What photo do you take to demonstrate that the thermometer has reached 28 degrees? A thermometer? Well yes, but that's pretty dull. So, gaze on the reaction instead.... a couple of pints of cask ale and a glass of chilled Chardonnay, at the Fiddler's Ferry pub.

Today has been a real scorcher, and such a contrast to the week to ten days after I arrived when the temperatures were struggling to reach the mid-teens. The forecast is for this settled fine warm weather to continue for about ten days, which suits me.

So, at the end of today we went to a small pub called The Ferry, on the banks of the upper reaches of the Mersey, bordered by wetlands, reeds, and abundant bird life. In one direction the landscape is such that you could shoot a movie set in the 13th Century, or possibly even 300 AD... It is unspoilt as far as the eye can see. Turn a few degrees and you see a concrete tower that used to be the equivalent of Switzerland's CERN laboratory, and turn further you see the eight huge ventilation towers of the Fiddler's Ferry coal-fired power station.

But... Being on the banks of one of Britain's most tidal rivers, the poor old Ferry pub has had more than its fair share of high tides. Against the bar are four different flood tide marks, showing how high the water got during those periods of peak tides. Put it this way... had you waded in for a pint during most of them you'd have had a wet crotch!

But today, no sign of rain; just endless sunshine and balmy temperatures. I don't know where the Chardonnay came from, but hey, who cares?!