Would you PLEASE stop mentioning "sprinklers"?!!!!! I know from previous experience just how refreshing they can be, but we are still labouring under drought conditions here in the South of England. We've had an on-going hosepipe ban since June of last year; my expensively re-laid lawns are nothing more than straw patches, and I am getting very tired of saving every drop of washing-up water (and every other drop of household water that can be retrieved) for the evening watering session out in what still survives as my garden - even the trees are wilting!

For weeks now our daily temperature highs have been averaging at 88ºF when the norm for this time of year is more like 76ºF - several days recently have seen it soar to 96ºF - and there is still no sign of rain.

There is currently nothing I should like more than to go stand over a sprinkler in the garden!