Is former BBC weatherman Bill Giles right in his appraisal that our disappointment over rainy and unpredictable summer weather is totally unreasonable?

Speaking to the Radio Times, the 71-year-old feels that Britons expect too much of the summer as it has never been known for a prolonged period of hot conditions, and it is just a myth that it used to be better in the past.

Mr Giles has come to the conclusion that the public’s optimism is being fuelled by an increase in foreign holiday travel over the past few decades.

Or maybe the right of Britons to complain about whatever subject they feel like is really to blame for this genuine and heartfelt feeling that we are being cheated out of our summer by the elements.

After a bright start to the summer, we just knew it wouldn’t last. In fact, it should come as no real surprise that it is damp and miserable in much of the UK at the moment. But what can you do to lighten your mood when your going somewhere nice options are limited?

If you enjoy activities such as bowling and adventure miniature golf, there are many indoor entertainment centres located around the country, which will provide you with a few hours of fun.

With the new Harry Potter movie and other summer blockbusters coming out, you could always visit your local Odeon or Cineworld. When you can’t be bothered with the general public, hiring a DVD or Blu-ray is a viable alternative.

By all accounts, last year’s live tour of the popular BBC sports quiz show was a resounding success. Now that dates have been set for this autumn, at venues up and down the country, those who enjoy the cheeky humour of Tufnell and co are in for a real treat.

I am going to this myself and have tickets for the Manchester MEN Arena in November where the usual cast of quizmaster Sue Barker and team captains Matt Dawson and Phil Tufnell will be joined by various special guests.

Each show will have its own sporting personalities present, with footballer Dion Dublin and snooker player Dennis Taylor (both confirmed) to be joined by two others from the world of sport.

Check out the official A Question of Sport Live Tour 2011 website for news on the special guests appearing in your area.

Next month I am going away with my family to a Spanish island which is certainly not unfamiliar to me, having been to Majorca a few times before. However, this time, rather than indulging in youthful pursuits like partying in a lively resort such as Alcudia; I am staying in a villa located in a quiet residential area not far from the centre of Puerto Pollensa.

As we are only a few hundred yards from the sea front, it should make for quite a relaxing holiday and so am looking forward to things like reading a good book as I lie on the beach. Having a heated pool in the rented villa is quite nice, so I can have an early morning swim without it being too cold.

This weekend I decided to get rid of some old stuff and see what cash I could make at my local car boot sale. The whole event was organised by military precision with nobody except sellers allowed in until the official opening time of 9am.

As we could arrive just after 7, this gave people who had set up their stalls the chance to check out what others were selling.

What I didn’t account for is how mad it gets once people get past the barriers. When you have multiple transactions on the go at any one time it can all get a bit hectic to say the least. And the fact that it was burning hot with no clouds to be seen, meant that sunburn was an inevitability.

In the end we did make a half decent amount, but this is not an experience i’d like to go through every week.