As the cold snap continues, the Sydney Morning Herald informs us we're in the grip of the coldest winter in twenty-odd years. They're talking about it on the radio and the telly as well, you know, when they're not calling people twats and mongs (the latter being another corker from the Kyle and Jackie-O show this morning).
Sure, we've all got a cold, cracked lips and sniffly noses. And sure, the temperature on Monday night dipped to three point something degrees (almost as low as the record of two point something set in 1932) but I still can't see the justification for wearing a fur-lined deer stalker hat when you're brewing up coffee in the university ref. Personally I have far greater concerns at present, things like a mountain of ironing so large it's actually fallen over and the issue of how my chocolate pudding fruit is ever supposed to ripen in these antarctic conditions.
The national grid can barely cope with all these Aussies resorting to electric blankets and radiators and brewing up their kettles for the hot water bottle. At least, that's what the man from the national grid thinks they're doing, but I know otherwise.
Hats aside, the Sydneysiders are busy trying out the best ways to keep themselves warm inside the house. Anything to avoid buying another oil-filled radiator or, heaven forbid, install some proper heating so they're sorted out for next year, oh dear no.
Myself I've considered sleeping in the car, you know, with the engine running and the air conditioning cranked right up to "hot". I mean, I've actually sat daydreaming about it, especially after Ella got in there this morning and commented "ooh, it's nice and toasty warm in here". That was just before I went on-line to look at the autumn collection in Next because I've been dreaming about chunky knit cardies and simple shopping trips to acquire them in places like Next and M & S. Today I want to come home - ask me again come October.
But the Sydneysiders I've met have far more innovative ways to keep warm, including switching on their tumble driers without any clothes inside and turning the oven to full pelt and leaving the door open.
It explains a lot - they go mad for open plan living and suddenly I see why.
2 comments:
It is cold; I have just been standing at the kitchen sinking, wearing a padded coat, peeling potatoes, and thinking how truly uncivilised the Sydney winter is, but this is unusual weather – according to my neighbours, and I know that last year we arrived in Australia on 31 July and did not bother buying a heater for the rest of the winter.
It's absolutely freezing. Am freezing my tits off.
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