Don't breathe

Well this is very unpleasant.

Toxic sahara dust mixed with our own pollutants. I live on one of the highest points in London, my study looks out west with the woods to the left and the city to my right. The near woods I can see. The city is completely smogged out.

News says it is meant to be easing off, but I actually find today worse than yesterday. I see one bird on the tree branches right now. By yesterday evening, they were everywhere, flying in the late sunlight.

There's often fog over the city, but you can breathe fog. Breathing this actively hurts, it leaves a little ache at the bottom of my chest, and I am not even outside.

I recall hearing about the smog bubbles over Chinese cities. If this became a permanent London characteristic, it really is time to go, no way we could live here.

This morning I put yesterday's t-shirt in the laundry. I gave it a cautious niff, it stinks of dust. I didn't even go out yesterday.