The British Summer
Britain is well known for its rainy climate.People joke that even in the summer time the country never gets any sun and that the skies stay disappointingly grey even during the months of July and August.
Last summer though,it was so hot that people could hardly believe it.British people weren't used to such high temperatures,so every day on the news there were stories about people struggling to work in such unusual weather conditions.Radio and television programmes also reminded everyone to drink more water and not to stay too long in the sun.
When the sun comes out,British people tend to spend time in their garden if they have one.It's common to invite friends and neighbours around for a barbecue,where everyone sits outside and eats food like grilled meat(烤肉）and salads.There's always a back-up plan in case of rain though,and the meal sometimes has to be cooked in the kitchen and eaten indoors.
People also spend a lot of time in parks during the summer,having picnics or playing sports.In every green area,there's always at least one ice cream van,a kind of car that plays children's music and sells ice creams.
Towns like Blackpool and Brighton are popular for their beaches and amusement arcades （游乐场）.People go there to swim,sunbathe and eat fish and chips.The water can be quite cold,though,and that's why quite a lot of people prefer to go abroad for their summer holiday instead.Popular destinations include Spain,Germany and France:all countries that promise a lot of sunshine!