Poneke mentioned that Adelaide is enduring its longest spell of hot weather since records began. I posted about this a few days ago, but things have changed since then. Back then, I was still somewhat exhilarated by the weather; it was a challenge to be met, and it was fun trying to outlast it. Now, I’m just tired, not least because it’s very difficult to sleep in the heat, despite keeping the house cool with airconditioning. Relief is in sight; on Tuesday the maximum temperature should drop to 30, and the overnight low on Tuesday night will be down to 16 degrees. That’s according to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology. By then we will have endured 14 days of very high temperatures, smashing Adelaide’s previous record of 8 days in a row.
It’s not just me whose finding it difficult. Everyone is scatchy and tired, bored with staying inside all day, and weary from the restless nights. My daughters all have big black shadows under their eyes, even though we shoo them off to bed reasonably early. And the heat imposed lethargy is, if not soul destroying, at least very trying. I don’t like not being able to do things because I am driven indoors by the heat. No quiet early morning cups of coffee on the verandah (not so much fun when it’s already 27 degrees at 7am), no evening strolls in the garden or around the neighbourhood, no going over to the local park so the girls can kick a ball around in much bigger space than our back yard. Even walking to and from school is a chore, instead of a pleasant transition for the girls and me.
Our garden is suffering even more. The watering restrictions here are onerous (I have grumbled about water pricing policy before), so I can’t nurse plants through the heat with extra water. I am able to keep our gin-and-tonic tree going with grey water, and the remaining rainwater in our small rainwater tank, but other than that, it’s a matter of using a watering can – very labour intensive. Of all the non-native plants in the garden, the roses are doing best. One extra watering can of water once a week seems to be enough to keep them alive, so far. The old fashioned flag irises, which I love, and the catnip are all surviving too, although my penstemon is fading, and so too is the stachys lanata. When the weather cools down, and we hopefully get a little more rain, I will be re-focusing the garden towards these hardy plants. And herbs – thyme, oregano, rosemary, all of which seem to be coming through this heat in gardens around the neighbourhood. And native plants, of course.
In the meantime, my neighbour’s weeping cherry tree has sprouted a very curious appendage.
The centre of the tree is burned, but she’s hoping to save it. She has umbrellas in other places in her garden too, trying to keep the sun off, but I suspect she’s fighting a losing battle.
It has been a very long, very hot summer. I used to curse the Wellington wind and rain, but now, they look very desirable. How things change!
And thank you, Poneke, for your compliments about my blog. I am in awe of your blog; since it launched just four months ago I think it has become one of the ‘must reads’ on the NZ politics scene. I don’t always agree with you, but I do always enjoy reading what you have to say.
Update: It’s due to end tomorrow.
They had a mention of the South Australian heatwave in the Dompost last week. I was amazed to see the national record was 160 consecutive days above 37.8 degrees C at Marble Bar WA in 1923-24. Bugger that!
I used to hate the heat when I was living in Perth as a kid. It was something I could never handle. Not being able to sleep at night was the worst aspect of it.
condolences on the heat.
i used to find any excuse to go to the bank, or a movie!
bless that a/c.
If it makes you feel any better it’s stinking hot in Melbourne too. I think our little baby airconditioner is going to explode from over use. I spent the entire afternoon in the bedroom yesterday because it was so hot and didn’t get any of my chores done (like washing, ironing, doing the dishes etc) because just the thought of it made me break out in a sweat. Hence I’m up at 5.30 this morning to iron some shirts for work….
apparently it’s 19 in Welllies!
36.8 here in Melbourne. Urgh. I just did the dishes (by hand, in very hot water) so I’m even hotter. I couldn’t stand the pile any more.
Having lived in the tropics for several years, you got my sympathy. Of course if you loved the environment you would move to NZ so that aircon was less of a necessity.
*removes tongue from cheek*