Stay in, stay cool and stay calm – Europe swelters as heatwave stretches

The heatwave scorching a trail across Europe has led to some surprising consequences. In France, thousands of train passengers had their journey’s interrupted as rail tracks expanded causing inevitable chaos. “Trains arrive slower, there is no information , people ride thinking they’re on the right train, in fact they make them change platforms and put them on already crowded,” said one commuter. With temperatures not dropping below 40 degrees across much of Spain, thousands of people have been heading to seaside, forcing authorities to limit the number of sunbathers. Britain is experiencing its hottest summer in living memory but the Met Office has warned that it is likely to come to an end for many with severe wet weather forecast over the next few days. Many Germans are still making the most of of the hot spell though including 90-year-old Annelie Dehnert-Hilscher who like many pensioners has been adviced to stay hydrated and in contact with friends and family. “I’m lucky to have Lake Constance to cool off in and it’s ok, as long as it only three days.”