There is a proverb in Mallorca saying “Sa monja l’encén i es frare l’apaga [the nun alights it and the monk puts it out]” in reference to the period of Summer’s heat, or what we call the Dog Days, usually starting today according to Mallorcan folklore.

Obviously, this year’s weather so far has not followed customary patterns nor tied in with country folks’ proverbs, but today is the monja’s day (July 20th, Santa Margalida) and judging by the hot weather that we had yesterday, the Dog Days may just be about.

Temperatures yesterday lunchtime were 32º C in the air and 25º C in the sea. Let’s hope Santa Margalida is right, this time. It should mean very hot Summer temperatures from now on, until the Frare has his day on August 20th, Sant Bernat. Sit tight.

And don’t forget to put plenty of sun cream on.

The photo was taken near Felanitx, Mallorca, Baleares, Spain. The date: July 11th, 2008. The time was 19:09:54.