SUMMER!!!!

In Louisiana we have really hot, sunny summers. I'm not necessarily going to miss it, I don't really like summer, but do you guys find yourselves missing those outdoor bbq's with swimming/etc?

Are there any outside pools in the UK? Not sure if this is the right thread, but I figured I'd ask!

There are some pools, I've seen them on tv(!) but I wouldn't know where to go to find one! People tend to go to the beach instead.
Barbecues are big here now! 

In Louisiana we have really hot, sunny summers. I'm not necessarily going to miss it, I don't really like summer, but do you guys find yourselves missing those outdoor bbq's with swimming/etc?

Are there any outside pools in the UK? Not sure if this is the right thread, but I figured I'd ask!

There are several open air pools around us, one of which is heated all year long.  Really nice.
Google Hampton open air pool

There are several open air pools around us, one of which is heated all year long.  Really nice.
Google Hampton open air pool

Hadn't realised there were any open air pools around this way (always tended to see more paddling pools outside and proper pools indoors) so good to know.

Hadn't realised there were any open air pools around this way (always tended to see more paddling pools outside and proper pools indoors) so good to know.

Girl, I'm your source:

Aldershot Lido
Thames Lido just reopened in Reading (I'm dying to try it, let's go one day)
California Country Park has an enormous paddling pool (only good if you want toddlers slamming into you)
Nirvana has a great outdoor pool
And best of all - one of my friends has an outdoor pool!! 

Girl, I'm your source:

Aldershot Lido
Thames Lido just reopened in Reading (I'm dying to try it, let's go one day)
California Country Park has an enormous paddling pool (only good if you want toddlers slamming into you)
Nirvana has a great outdoor pool
And best of all - one of my friends has an outdoor pool!!

Yes we can definitely try it!!

And um..what?! CAN YOUR FRIEND BECOME MY FRIEND PLEASE?! hahahaha

There is a really nice outdoor pool in Helmsley in Yorkshire. 

We have some toddler paddling pools that are outside in the north of Scotland. But brrrrrrrrrr........... 

In Louisiana we have really hot, sunny summers. I'm not necessarily going to miss it, I don't really like summer, but do you guys find yourselves missing those outdoor bbq's with swimming/etc?

Are there any outside pools in the UK? Not sure if this is the right thread, but I figured I'd ask!

My in-laws have a proper outdoor swimming pool.  Actually, they just had it rebuilt (after a 12-years-long battle with their insurance company over a subsidence issue).  It used to be one of those kidney bean shaped ones, and now it's a rectangle, with the prettiest iridescent tiles that are actually black, but look blue when the light hits them.

We have a gas BBQ grill that I used a lot last summer while my husband was working in Salisbury (he doesn't like chicken on-the-bone, and I was getting drumsticks in huge family packs, then grilling a few at a time on nice days to enjoy while he was away).  This year, we've used our outdoor pizza oven quite a lot.  But we've not hosted a BBQ for guests.  Our house isn't exactly guest-ready.

But KF just hosted a fantastic BBQ for her in-laws!  I'm surprised she didn't mention it! 

My in-laws have a proper outdoor swimming pool.  Actually, they just had it rebuilt (after a 12-years-long battle with their insurance company over a subsidence issue).  It used to be one of those kidney bean shaped ones, and now it's a rectangle, with the prettiest iridescent tiles that are actually black, but look blue when the light hits them.

We have a gas BBQ grill that I used a lot last summer while my husband was working in Salisbury (he doesn't like chicken on-the-bone, and I was getting drumsticks in huge family packs, then grilling a few at a time on nice days to enjoy while he was away).  This year, we've used our outdoor pizza oven quite a lot.  But we've not hosted a BBQ for guests.  Our house isn't exactly guest-ready.

But KF just hosted a fantastic BBQ for her in-laws!  I'm surprised she didn't mention it! 

We got a gas grill for free on freecycle! Got really lucky actually. It's fairly small but does the job and we used it a LOOOOOOOT this summer. We agreed that when we get a detached house and everything else is sorted, we're going to treat ourselves to a nicer, bigger gas grill!

If you want to giggle and nod all at the same time, google images of "British BBQ".  All of people standing under umbrellas in the rain "keeping calm and carrying on."

So a bit different than the USA BBQ's that you are used to.  Here, people plan so stinking far in advance that you can't plan the weather.

Though this summer was incredible (seems to have ended now).  But we had a solid two months of ACTUAL summer.  Maybe closer to three months?  Not just a week.  It was AWESOME!

And hot!

We have a little Weber kettle grill and have taken it out to the common area a couple of times and smoked/grilled some meat. I think it's getting to be time to do that again. Once you have it nicely done with all the smoke flavor, it freezes well and can be pulled out to top salads or go on sandwiches....

Hmmmm, chicken with mesquite. That sounds soooo good. 
(Still on the damned diet, so it has to wait!)

If you want to giggle and nod all at the same time, google images of "British BBQ".  All of people standing under umbrellas in the rain "keeping calm and carrying on."

Haha! So true!    We had one of those barbecues under an umbrella last year!  It started off fine then the clouds just opened and it POURED down, but we'd come this far, we weren't going to let a spot of rain put us off!

Wish I had a photo of that though, we were SOAKED! 

If you want to giggle and nod all at the same time, google images of "British BBQ".  All of people standing under umbrellas in the rain "keeping calm and carrying on."

So a bit different than the USA BBQ's that you are used to.  Here, people plan so stinking far in advance that you can't plan the weather.

Though this summer was incredible (seems to have ended now).  But we had a solid two months of ACTUAL summer.  Maybe closer to three months?  Not just a week.  It was AWESOME!

Would be a lie if I said I never BBQ'd with an umbrella. When i've pointed out the rain, my husband has responded with "This is England. This is how we Brits BBQ."

These solid months of summer are the exact reasons why I've started to miss proper American Summer with swimming pools and cook outs (cook outs aren't the same as standard BBQs).

Your in-laws have a pool JFKimberly?  This doesn't help us believe that you're not posh and living on a giant estate 

Your in-laws have a pool JFKimberly?  This doesn't help us believe that you're not posh and living on a giant estate 

SHE HAS STABLES!!!!!

oooooooooooooooooooooo