It’s that time of year again, when Mr Cloud Man doesn’t know if it’s summer or winter, rain or shine. This can be pretty depressing when you’re cooped up in work, battling traffic during the daily commute, or sitting indoors at night as the wind howls against your window.

However, never fear, as we haven’t given up yet! There are plenty of things to keep us cheery round about this time of year. The city is your oyster, and London in particular is hardy and resilient against all the weather the folks from upstairs like to bring us.

Here is a list of things to do that has made me particularly happy lately:

Image taken by daiwilliamsuk on flickr

A Day at the Beach: Whitechapel Art Gallery
www.whitechapelgallery.org
77-82 Whitechapel High Street
Whitechapel, London E1 7QX
Sunday 22nd August, beginning 1.00pm

Who needs Brighton, when Whitechapel Art Gallery is bringing the beach to us? Recreating the seaside experience on Sunday 22nd August at Altab Ali Park (just opposite the gallery) and holding on to the summer sunshine in the east end, Whitechapel is building it’s very own beach! Complete with volleyball, postcards, art themed sandcastles and a snack bar, what’s not to like about this little plan. Fingers crossed the weather holds up!

Image taken by London Permaculture on flickr

Oikos Project
www.oikosproject.com
Marlborough Playground, 11 - 25 Union Street
London SE1 1LB
Plays running 26th August – 18th September

During a time when the government is cutting arts funding in the UK, the little geniuses that are the Architecture Foundation and The Red Room have created their very own temporary theatre made completely out of recycled material and aptly named the ‘Jellyfish’. Volunteers have been working hard to build the project during July/August, and show times for two different plays are almost ready. See Ticketmaster for details on how to purchase tickets.

Image taken by Carlo Nicora on flickr

Notting Hill Carnival
www.thenottinghillcarnival.com
Sunday 29th – Monday 30th August

It’s Notting Hill Carnival time! Seeing as I’ve missed it for two years in a row, I’m determined to get my bum over to the west side for a piece of the action this year. As the largest Caribbean street festival of its kind in Europe, the streets will be teaming with the sights of brightly coloured costumes and the smells of hundreds of Caribbean stalls. Make sure you stick around to watch the parade on Bank Holiday Monday!

Image taken by jeni rodger on flickr

London Design Festival
www.londondesignfestival.com
18th – 26th September

A massive yearly event that spans the entirety of London, check out what’s on offer on the website and make sure you don’t miss a thing. There are over 200 events planned and highlights include a partnership with the V&A, a mechanical octopus in Trafalgar square and a ‘Design against Fur’ exhibition at Dreamspace Gallery.