As my home city of Athens burns, I can only watch in amazement as sunseekers fly in | Helena Smith

Lounging by the pool is at best ill-advised, but for residents daily life has turned into an ordeal

I've had my fair share of messages from friends abroad recently asking if it really is as hot as they say" in Greece. Hot, I usually retort, doesn't say it all. It's mind-meltingly blistering, baking from morning to night. You struggle to sleep, you struggle to eat, you're ill-tempered and you can't even drink; a consolatory sundown cocktail is usually the kiss of death."

After the emojis and exclamation marks, the response has invariably been: Well, over here it's all cloud and rain, I'll make sure to pack my factor 30+. Looking forward!"

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