Wow, this is what all the hype about Summers in Oz has all been about. We get a Bank Holiday Monday, and the temperature racks up to a 38c belter. As I write this it's now Thursday and following on from Monday we've had 3 days well over 40c hitting 45c yesterday. It looks like we are going to get more than a week with temperatures over 40c. This is a record for Australia, since records began. Reports of Rail tracks buckling and power blackouts as aircon and other systems fail to cope in the searing heat. At school, (they went back on Tuesday) the kids are not allowed out to play at lunch as health & safety says its too hot for them to be outdoors. I'm reliably informed that manual workers in particular in factories or on production lines, have to down tools and go home when it gets over 38c. I guess that's mixed feelings for them. They get time off, paid, but actually what else can you do. Well I guess there's the beach!!
I drove down the beach front after work on the way home tonight, and it was mobbed. Well, mobbed by Oz standards. All parking was taken on the front, but if you looked on the beach there was loads of space. Cooler in the sea for sure than out of it. However reports of Shark sightings in the shallows here recently make you think twice about going too far out... Of course I did stop in the Seacliff Hotel for a swift pint of Coopers Pale Ale....
Back to Australia Day, many Brits including some new friends of ours Lorraine and Ray, were sworn in as new Australian citizens, in ceremonies all over the country. Didn't realise it was quite as formal as that.
Mayors all over Oz led services and presentations. Numerous parties were formed after that, we ourselves went up to Belair National Park for picnics, beers, wine, tennis and ice creams amongst the Gum Trees. It was sweltering and we couldn't wait to get home and dive in our pool. Must have spent 2 hours at least, my incredible bulk submerged, beer in hand.
On the same day, Lance Armstrong was featuring in the Tour Down Under held here in Adelaide (not a big cycling fan so didn't take it in), The Aussies lost at the Adelaide Oval in a 1 dayer to S Africa, and Andy Murray went out of the Australian Open Tennis in Melbourne.
On the Friday night, prior to the Australia day, Debi and I hosted, (well Debi as ever did all the work, I just poured and drank the wine) a lovely couple Paul and Lesley for dinner. We met these two originally at Blackwood Golf Club and we had a great evening, drinking until about 4.30 am, the time (and wine) just flew (or is that Flowed??). They are Brits, but have been here well over 10 years and absolutely love it, which is most encouraging for the challenges that still await us.
I drove down the beach front after work on the way home tonight, and it was mobbed. Well, mobbed by Oz standards. All parking was taken on the front, but if you looked on the beach there was loads of space. Cooler in the sea for sure than out of it. However reports of Shark sightings in the shallows here recently make you think twice about going too far out... Of course I did stop in the Seacliff Hotel for a swift pint of Coopers Pale Ale....Back to Australia Day, many Brits including some new friends of ours Lorraine and Ray, were sworn in as new Australian citizens, in ceremonies all over the country. Didn't realise it was quite as formal as that.
Mayors all over Oz led services and presentations. Numerous parties were formed after that, we ourselves went up to Belair National Park for picnics, beers, wine, tennis and ice creams amongst the Gum Trees. It was sweltering and we couldn't wait to get home and dive in our pool. Must have spent 2 hours at least, my incredible bulk submerged, beer in hand.On the same day, Lance Armstrong was featuring in the Tour Down Under held here in Adelaide (not a big cycling fan so didn't take it in), The Aussies lost at the Adelaide Oval in a 1 dayer to S Africa, and Andy Murray went out of the Australian Open Tennis in Melbourne.
On the Friday night, prior to the Australia day, Debi and I hosted, (well Debi as ever did all the work, I just poured and drank the wine) a lovely couple Paul and Lesley for dinner. We met these two originally at Blackwood Golf Club and we had a great evening, drinking until about 4.30 am, the time (and wine) just flew (or is that Flowed??). They are Brits, but have been here well over 10 years and absolutely love it, which is most encouraging for the challenges that still await us.
2 comments:
I spotted your comment on my SIL's blog, so I thought I'd pop over to read yours. Nice to see you Brits are still well ahead of the Ozzies in the drinking stakes!
Gaz ;-)
No worries there mate!! getting the Aussie drawl already. Actually checked out your blog as well the other night. made us laugh about the Cat's turd. Wierd isn't it. Met you once I think prob at Karen & Ian's leaving. here we are blogging. I'm new to this so still learning all afresh. DB
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