Jennifer Dale takes a look at what this weekend has in store...
The great British weather. Don’t you just love it? For 10 of the 12 months in a year we trundle through busy streets with our soggy trouser bottoms, broken umbrellas and newspapers that are no longer legible thanks to the rain dissolving the paper into a sodden mass of wet mush. We do nothing but complain whilst the weather is like this.
We moan and wish with all our heart that we could be abroad in Spain, where you don’t have to wear thermal underwear to keep warm, or turn the heating up on to full. Yet, on the very rare occasion that we do have some glorious sunshine gracing our streets, all we do again is complain that its too hot on the tube and that buses should be installed with air con.
So what is our problem? Will we ever be satisfied with our country’s climate? Well, it’s about time that we embrace the heat, start loving the ice cream, and strip off to our bikinis and Speedos! People of Britain, I challenge you this weekend to love the sun! And to help you on your way, here is my list of top 5 outdoor events to enjoy over the next four days, before it’s too late and the heavens open once again…
At number 5…
It’s the Boursin Summer Picnic in Finsbury Park this Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th July, where you 
can sample some new Boursin cheeses, bringing a slice of France to London this summer. As well as sampling cheese, you can enjoy traditional French music and have a go at French mini boules if that tickles your fancy. You can also indulge in some gourmet French cuisine; perfect for relaxing in this gorgeous summer sun.
At number 4…
It’s the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. This weekend why not take in a bit of British culture with A Midsummer Night’s Dream? It’s being shown on Saturday 29th and Monday 31st July in the Park, and if you are searching for things to do with the kids during the summer holidays, then many of the productions put on during the open air theatre festival are child-friendly.
Here you have an opportunity to enjoy exciting new shows whilst making the most of the weather. With a variety of productions taking place at this unique London venue, there’s every reason to head outside for sun and theatre fun.
At number 3…
It’s the London Lidos. If you really are suffering from the heat and desperately need to cool down, then there is nothing better than going to your local lido for a quick dip. It’s the old school way to keep cool, and with so many around you’d be mad to miss out on them! Some in the London area include: Brockwell Park Lido - Dulwich, Tooting Bec Lido, Hornsey Park Road Lido – Hornsey, Hampton Heated Open Air Pool, Parliament Hill Lido - Hampstead Heath, Serpentine Lido - Hyde Park and Oasis Swimming Pool – Camden.
At number 2…
It’s the Ealing Jazz Festival at Walpole Park. This whole event is absolutely free and consists of jazz, jazz and more jazz all weekend long, starting at 2pm on both Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th July. It features a massive line up of famous artists from across the world, including Ray Gelato, Ken Baldock, Claire Davies and John Bennet. A wide range of jazz styles will be served up for you to chill out and relax to in the summer sun, and jazz fans will definitely not want to miss out on this 
fantastic event.
At number 1…
It’s the Ben & Jerry’s Summer Sundae Festival! Clapham common will be bursting at the seams with people, rides, music and ice cream, as Ben & Jerry’s hits West London. There will be fairground rides like the helter skelter and coconut shy, plus the chance to suggest a new ice cream flavour to Ben & Jerry’s HQ. There will also be the opportunity to try some brand new Ben & Jerry’s ice creams, including Glastonberry, Oh My! Apple Pie, and Chocolate Therapy, alongside some frozen yoghurts too! And on top of all this there will be music from artists such as Nerina Pallot, Jose Gonzalez, Breaks co-op and Badly Drawn Boy. So buy your ticket quick before they all sell out, as this is NOT to be missed!
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