Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Thursday 16 January 2014

This is where my heart is this week...

Much of Australia is sweltering at the moment.  Heat records are being not smashed but melted. nuked, burnt.  Some of us can expect a cool(ish) change late tomorrow.  Here it will be late Saturday, or perhaps Sunday before we get any relief.

I am doing my very best to turn into a troll and only come out at night.  The garden is crispified.  I will see what can be salvaged when I can bear to go outside again.  Multiple Sclerosis LOVES heat and at the moment many of my symptoms have been exacerbated.  Or reared their ugly heads again.  Sigh.

Sad, soggy and grumpy.  But thankful that our temperatures are (a little) lower than those endured by people further west.  My thoughts and sympathies are with you.

No new photos, but a revisit to a place of ice and beauty.



















124 comments:

  1. Wonderful photos.
    Sorry neither you nor your garden are faring well in the heat. You would've enjoyed our recent deep freeze. Well, enjoy might be too strong a word for forty-seven below zero degrees...

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    1. Alex J. Cavanaugh: I suspect I would have enjoyed your deep freeze. The dread disease means that I do get cold, but it takes a very long time and much lower temperatures than for most people.

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  2. They were wonderful pictures so cool, and it needed now, you are a bit hotter than me but it's hot everywhere at the moment, did you notice that Darwin had the lowest temp the other day out of all the capital cities sorry not sure about Hobart.
    Merle................

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    1. Merlesworld: Hobart has cooled down a bit, but they have been smashing records too.

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  3. So sorry it is so hot and that the heat is not your friend. It's probably hard to imagine how wonderfully cold that icy place felt - I hope looking at it reminded you and gave you a bit of relief.

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    1. Lynn: Scanning through my photos was wonderful. Memories I cherish. And yes, in a perverse sort of way it did help.

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  4. Beautiful Antarctica; and wonderful photos which I hope did make you feel better.

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    1. Alexia: It did make me feel better. And wish for another trip.

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  5. Our San Diego winter never materialized. No rain, high temps., blue skies, high pressure fronts. I am miserable; migraines also react to the weather. Love the marvelous photos. Are some of the penguin photos yours?

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    1. Susan Kane: Migraines are vile aren't they? Mine are back at the moment too. All of the photos are mine. And I have been drooling over them.

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    2. Interesting about San Diego. I'm up in the wilds of Humboldt County, way far north on the opposite side of the state. I've lived here close to 30 years and there's never been a winter like this. I've hardly worn a jacket at all, and today was actually creepy for the middle of January in our part of the world--it was more warm and dry than it normally is in the summer! It's normally 15-20 degrees F colder, pouring rain and stormy in January. And, indeed, it has given me a migraine as well. It's very strange. And then you poor souls in the southern hemisphere are being cooked alive... It's grim, truly. I do love your plan to think icy thoughts and penguins, EC. And I so love those pics, always. I intensely wish you ice and much cooler days!

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    3. Paper Chipmunk (aka Ellen): How did I miss this comment? I am so sorry to hear that you are enduring warmer than reasonable weather too. With bonus migraine. Global weirding is going to do us in.

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  6. mmmm...One day.How about tomorrow!

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    1. dinahmow: I would go back in a heart-beat. Anytime.

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  7. How beautiful the photos. Those penguins are still making me smile.
    I can understand why you picked these pics. I hope you can imagine yourself there. Sorry about the heat and that the MS symptoms have recurred. I didn't realize you suffered from this disease. Hope you feel better real soon.

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    1. Myrna R.: There are rather a lot more penguin photos in my files, but today I was mostly focusing on ice. Such a beautiful place. Such wonderful memories. Thanks for your good wishes.

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  8. refreshing! You are no troll, Honey :-)


    ALOHA from Honolulu
    Comfort Spiral
    > < } } ( ° >

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    1. Cloudia: Just at the moment I am indeed a troll. A bad tempered one too.

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  9. Very hot in Canberra today - so sorry for you and your garden. Hot in Sydney but nothing like the southern areas. Stay cool if you can, rest and wait. Hard to imagine it will end but of course it will in time. Keep looking at those gorgeous photos.

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    1. Carol: It is too hot everywhere just at the moment. And yes, it will end. Eventually. And the photos help.

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  10. OH, E.C. I wish I could invite you to my home and you could sit and shiver in front of the fire with me. I would give you hot chocolate because you would be so cold. You would secretly be thinking that I must be insane to choose to live in a place where they get 364 days of rainfall every year! But you wouldn't be hot. And you would be able to sleep.

    xo

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    1. Birdie: I would take you up on that, faster than lightening. And we never get enough rain either, so I would be happy to see it. Thank you.

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  11. Cooling photos indeed. I hope you get some relief soon.

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    1. Delores: Saturday night or perhaps Sunday morning is what they are saying at the moment. Which will come.

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  12. Icebergs! I had to go and put my socks on, you made me feel so cool.
    Love the cute penguins, they're adorable.
    Sorry to hear your MS is aggravated. I don't know much about MS.

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    1. River: I am thrilled that the ice bergs cooled you down. Your temperatures are worse than ours, and I have been feeling for you.

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  13. Wonderful photos. When we get our hot weather in July and August, I will bring out your antarctic photos....Our weather is unseasonably warm for January, as it is winter... We have had snow, but mostly it is gone now; Our temperatures have been 8--10 degrees C. Looks like Spring instead of Winter. I would fade away, if our temperatures reached yours in the Summertime. I do not enjoy the heat. I feel sorry for the areas in Australia where there are wild fires, we have had them in our area, it is not a nice experience and even the smoke is debilitating. My daughter lives near Adelaide, but so far, the fires are not nearby. I hope it cools down soon, for you, and life returns to normal. Sorry to hear about your garden, hopefully if the weather changes, it will be fixable...Look out for you...Cheers!

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    1. Sienna Smythe: I love the thought of my Antarctic photos relieving you in summer too. It is such a beautiful place. Thank you for your good wishes.

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  14. You have my sympathy and concern about your very hot weather. It has been on our news quite a bit. As much as I do not enjoy this Artic weather we have been having lately, I will take the cold over the heat any day.

    Stay inside, dear friend, and have the A/C or all the fans you can grab to make you comfortable.

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    1. Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe: Troll city rules. I go out as little as possible and try and make it early or late. The rest of the time I skulk inside with books. Which isn't a hardship. We are expecting some relief late Saturday, or early Sunday. Not cool enough for me - but MUCH better.

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  15. I love your Antarctica photos! A week ago it was minus 40 here, but I would rather have that than the heat! I am dreading summer, because in 6 months our temps may well reach plus 40. Climate change is nasty world wide. Stay inside close to the AC. Hope you get some relief soon!

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    1. Karen: Cold over hot any day. It is so much easier to get warm than it is to get cool. And I am so glad that you aren't sick to death of Antarctica.

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  16. I hope some of your plants can be saved! :-(
    Lovely photos! I adore the chinstrap penguins. ^_^

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    1. Cassandra Louise: I am sorry, my dyslexic fingers changed your name last time I replied so I deleted it and am trying again.
      The chinstraps are charming aren't they? They were a penguin I didn't know about before I went to Antarctica - and a treat.
      Fingers crossed that some of the garden can be salvaged. I hope so.

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    2. That's ok, I couldn't spell my name myself until I was almost nine. ;-) x

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    3. Cassandra Louise: Thank you. Mind you, a seven year, eight or nine year old has rather more excuse than I did.

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  17. Wow, I didn't know that about MS, so sorry! You could go visit my dad in the polar vortex in the American Midwest. One night the low was -60 with the windchill (F.)

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    1. Riot Kitty: Not all of us suffer in the heat, but it is a common problem. And I suspect that I would be much, much more comfortable in the polar vortex than I am here in the oven. But it will get better.

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  18. Oh yes, I so need to see these cooling images right now - it's 6pm and 41.5°. The fan is just blowing around hot air. Ugh.

    I'm very sorry to hear that you're suffering. Wishing a cooler change soon and a relief for you.

    Thank you for the stunning pics EC.

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    1. Vicki: You need some relief too. We are finally cooling down a little. It is after 7.30 and it is still well over thirty. And tomorrow's maximum has been increased. Again.
      I am so glad that you like my take on Antarctica.

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  19. EC, I feel almost guilty writing that we have had 6 straight days of rain and overcast weather up here. It just does not make sense when the southern states swelter like this each January. I hope you find some relief.

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    1. Carol in Cairns: At least someone is getting the rain. Feel no guilt, just revel in it.

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  20. Spraying yourself using a little water spritzer may help you some. The evaporation is cooling. also. if you're just going to be sitting around anyway, do it with your feet in a pan of cool water, and wet hair! (or just sit in a tub of tepid water for awhile). Any port in a storm, as they say.

    Sorry your vegetable garden got all crisped. Is there enough for a wilted salad??

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    1. Oh, and I would rather be too hot than too cold. I'd rather be a lump than suffer with the spasms I get when I'm cold.

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    2. Webster: It is all of our garden which has suffered. The vegetables are 'hanging in', but some of the other garden beds look dire.
      And how interesting that you get spasms when you are cold. They attack me much more often when I am overheated.
      Either way, some moderation would be nice.

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  21. I am so sorry that you are having such a hard time with your weather. My husband's mom had MS and he took care of her for 12 years. He told me about how she would shut down if she got to warm. She was at the point that if she got to hot she wouldn't be able to do anything. Would hardly be there. Scary time for them. I also hope that most of your plants make it. We lost quite a few last spring because of being so wet. Now this year they are saying that we could lose more because of the polar vortex we just went through. Loved looking at the photos you posted. It is so pretty there and you got to see so much!

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    1. Teresa: Webster (see above) confirms that heat doesn't affect all of us badly. It does me, and your mama in law, but she suffers in the cold.
      I think gardens the world over are suffering in the extremes we have been having. Global weirding has a lot to answer for.

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  22. Sad to hear that MS is always there. Lovely pictures you have done.

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    1. Bob Bushell: If you have to get an incurable disease there are worse ones about. Antarctica was beyond beautiful. Everywhere you looked. Cherished memories.

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  23. Do you need an ice jacket or hat? Those should be available---hats and shirts with pockets for ice packs, or even a battery operated cooling system, in a blouse?

    It's been a terribly unnatural winter here in Oregon also, way too cold in early December with temperatures near zero F and dry powder snow. And very little rain. We're like 8 inches behind on the year for rain. Something's out of whack for certain.

    I hope your country cools off where you are and very soon or else maybe you can get on at a base in Antarctica! Or at least stuck in the ice on a comfy ship that can take it, til the heat breaks.

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    1. Strayer: I was very, very jealous of the people 'stuck in the ice'. And that was before this heat wave.
      I do have a cooling vest, but find it very, very uncomfortable.

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    2. I figured you wished you were there, on that ship, stuck there south of you.. I wish it had been you visiting again.

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  24. I'm so sorry to hear that the MS wolf has come out of hiding again. I had no idea that heat could exacerbate the unwelcome symptoms :( I know that L-G's Lyme is worse in summer, but that's more light sensetivity than heat. I think you need a bucket of iced margaritas to help dull the edge of the heat.

    I did see this cartoon yesterday and it sums the temperature situation up perfectly. Although I can afford to smile as I'm 26,000km away gazing out at a snowy winter wonderland.

    I love the penguin photos. I've a real soft spot for penguins and we watch any penguin program we can find. We had fairy penguins in South Australia (and they are cute, adorable little bundles of love) but it's the Adelie and the Emperor ones I love the best. I can't fathom how they survive and thrive in such an inhospitable environment. But thrive they do. And boy could they teach humans a thing or two about loyalty, love, committment and responsibility. Fantastic animals.

    We've had an unseasonably warm winter here, but at last the snows and Arctic chill arrived last week (a month and a half late, but better late than never). So while your garden fries, mine is fast asleep under a gentle blanket of snow to insulate it from the harsh north winds blowing on the surface. I can't wait to saee how many of those 500 bulbs I planted in autumn will bloom in spring.

    I'll send you cooling thoughts and hope that the mercury starts to fall sooner rather thasn later.

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    1. Marie: I LOVE the cartoon. Thank you so much. Far too much of the country has been cooked past the point of 'well-done' too.
      Penguins are a delight.
      I would love to see photos of your garden in the spring.

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    2. I read a UN report here that said today (probably yesterday in Oz now), my hometown of Adelaide was the hottest place on earth. I'm not sure they'd be entirely thrilled with that.

      I'm hoping my garden will burst into life in spring as I sweated enough over planting all of those bulbs! Right now it's all pretty and white (much easier on the eye than the sea of mud I've been surveying all autumn and winter), so hopefully, sometime in late April, it will spring to life. My friends in the UK tell me that it's spring there already, with camellias budding and daffodils waving in the breeze. It will be a while coming this far north, but when it does, I hope for an explosion of colour.

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    3. Marie: The first bulb catalogues have started arriving here. I know I will succumb - after all after the losses we are suffering now and the plumber damage I have to fill the gaps don't I? And even I don't believe the rationalisation.
      Adelaide as the hottest place on earth is scary. Very scary.

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  25. Hoping that the hot spell breaks soon... i don't complain too much about the cold as it's usually possible to pile on enough layers to warm up. It is much more difficult to cool off when the heat is unbearable.

    Love the photos from Antartica! i hope to visit someday!

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    1. daisyfae: If you get the chance to get to Antarctica - DO IT.

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  26. The pictures are certainly cooling. Please stay indoors in air conditioning, if MS is exacerbated by heat. I didn't know that. I love to gaze at ice sculptures, especially those made by nature. Sending you lots of love and hope for a change in your weather soon. I've been reading about Australia's predicament for a while now.

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    1. DJan: I am indeed skulking indoors. My MS is exacerbated by the heat which is common. It isn't everyone though. Some suffer in cold weather. Thank you.

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  27. Okay, the penguins simply couldn't be any more charming.

    So sorry about the heat; it's hideous how bad it can make you feel w/ the MS. I'll echo a question from above: do you have a cool/ice vest? Mine has helped tremendously in the summer, even if I look ridiculous wearing it.

    Hope you get some relief SOON.

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    1. Ms. CrankyPants: I was given a cooling vest. And cannot cope with it. It is too heavy and too cumbersome. I probably need to give it another chance.

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    2. Somehow, the cooling effect cancels out the bulky, uncomfortable, hideous aspects of the vest for me. When I'm cool, I feel about 10 times stronger. Hope it or something else works for you!

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    3. Ms. CrankyPants: I really need to give it another chance. Preferably before I am so hot that putting the damn thing on is exhausting and difficult.

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  28. So sorry to hear you're suffering in the heat. Gorgeous shots!

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  29. I am so sorry your MS is so bad with the heat so hopefully the promised cool change will be with you soon. Our thoughts here in the West have been with the folk in the south-east of our country as they swelter in horrendous heat. We had our share of fires last weekend with 55 homes lost and can only hope that isn't repeated in South Australia or Victoria.
    It's strange but arthritis seems better in HOT weather as I had less aches and pains last weekend 44º and 40ºC whereas during the week with our cooler change they have returned. I hate hot weather so am between a rock and a hard place.
    I do hope you will be feeling much better real soon.
    P.S. Have been worrying about both you and River.
    I shall return to your lovely icy pics over the coming week as we are due to suffer a mini-heatwave over here but top temp only 39º thank goodness.

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    1. Mimsie: Cool change expected late Saturday or perhaps Sunday. And our temperatures haven't been as bad as those that you, River and others have experienced.

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  30. They've discovered that people with Fibromyalgia have body core temperatures that don't work properly, much like with MS, only mine is set so I can't get warm enough, whilst yours is the other way round, so even more empathy from this quarter aimed at you dear. I can imagine how wonderful it was when you had that amazing trip and I'm glad the memories can be returned to when you feel grim. That's why I take lots of photographs, so I can bloody remember everything heh. *makes a chair out of ice cubes for Sue.

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    1. All Consuming: Reclining in my ice chair I thank you. Bliss.

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  31. Being just across the ditch in NZ, we have had much news about your weather. Absolutely shocking. I truly do not know how you stand it. Not that you have any choice in the matter, but even so...

    I hate the heat at the best of times, but those temperatures ... you poor bloody things.

    Take care and stay cool. If you can.

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    1. Wendy: It is frightening and awful. And now there are fires too. There is a cooler change predicted for Adelaide and Melbourne today. Some rain with it would be excellent.
      Our cool change is scheduled for late tomorrow or early the day after. And can't come soon enough.

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  32. I had to revisit here this morning, EC. I spent a good five minutes staring intently at the enlarged images - immersing myself into them. I imagined feeling the frosty cold wind coming off the ice - ooooh, ice.
    And you know, for those few minutes, it helped.
    I'll be returning as the mercury rises today.

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    1. Vicki: I am so glad it helped you, as it did/does me. Come back anytime and feel the cool...

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  33. That's an amazing series of snowy photos and must have been quite a trip. I loved them. I hope you all get some relief in temperatures soon.

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    1. DeniseinVA: It was the trip of a lifetime and is hugged deeply to my heart. We are expected some relief in a couple of days - for a couple of days.

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  34. I listened to a PRI segment today about the tennis tournament, sneakers squelching off the court, water bottles melting, players and fans prostrate and worse. I cannot believe the venue isn't changed, or the tournament cancelled.
    Keep as comfortable as you can.

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    1. Joanne Noragon: Sport is big business and I believe until a player dies they will just keep going. It is often obscenely hot when the tennis is on - but we repeat it each year.

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  35. Can't imagine, and as I prefer cold to heat, I won't even bother.

    But coming out only at night sounds reasonable.

    Pearl

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    1. Pearl: Cold is soooo much easier to deal with isn't it?

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  36. Picture 3 is absolutely lovely! First glance made it look like a small family of snowmen on vacation.

    And I'm terribly sorry your weather is being so cruel to your body. MS never plays fair and deserves to be wiped out. I wish you at least some degree of relief ahead.

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    1. John Wiswell: Antarctica is an unbelievably beautiful place. I dislocated my jaw on a daily basis oohing and aaahing.
      No, MS doesn't play fair - but what chronic illness does? As you know.

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  37. I heard about the temps in relationship to the tennis tournaments and players. That is excessively even for the Deep South of the US. The icy pictures were too cold for me here in the house, wearing a coat because of the cold. However, in your place, they would be a comfort. I did not know that MS is exacerbated by the heat.

    Going out at night seems like the ideal solution for you.

    In the South we have a saying, "Walk slow and stay in the shade." Yes, I know the properly word is "slowly," but that is the saying. Take care. Do you have ac?

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    1. Practical Parsimony: Very slowly and in as much shade as I can find.

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  38. AH! Such mistakes I made, but I am about asleep. I should give up and go to bed!

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  39. The photos are so beautiful, it must have been amazing to be right there.

    I feel for you in the heat. Yours is worse than ours ever is, and yet I'm all whiny and wimpy when ours comes around. How do you stay so unruffled? And do your cats mind the high temperatures?

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    1. jenny_o: I hug those memories very tightly. It was heaven.

      And unruffled doesn't describe me in the heat. Grumpy and sulky. Sadly. One of our cats LOVES the heat, bakes her brain in it and then (when dragged inside) pukes. I try and not let her out on hot days. She complains and the other resident gives in. But doesn't clean up after her... (because it makes him feel unwell - hiss and spit).

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    2. Oh, that is just wrong! Actions/consequences/NOT ... LOL

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    3. jenny_o: I think (and say) that it is wrong too. The cat supports him. Naturally.

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  40. When I saw the article in the paper about the Australian Open games being cancelled because of the heat, I thought of you and our other blogger buddies suffering through the abominable heat wave. I hope y'all get some real relief, and soon. And I'm so sorry about your garden. Seeing your beautiful flowers sizzle and wilt must be breaking your heart.

    If the vest isn't to your liking, have you ever tried one of the cooling neck scarves? I used to work with an MS support group, and many of the members swore by the scarves. They contain what feels like pellets, but after you soak the scarves in water for a bit, the pellets form a cooling gel that lasts for several hours. I don't handle heat very well, either, and one of those scarves made it possible for me to cut the grass without suffering from instantaneous combustion.

    Happy (and cooler!) weekend!

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    1. Susan: Thank you. I do have several of the cooling neck scarves and cope with them much better than the vest. I still can't spend very long outside, but they are a huge help.
      It is still v hot here today (40 expected top) but some of the country has cooled, and we are expecting a break later today or tomorrow. Before it heats up again.

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  41. O dear, yes, we know all about your heat wave. I am so sorry for you. I cannot take heat at all; I come out in blisters if I so much at look at the sun. Australia would not suit me.o you look at your photos a lot? Perhaps seeing the icy wastes could make you feel a little cooler?

    In any case, i hope the worst will soon be over and you can breathe normally again. Good luck.

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    1. Friko: I loathe the heat and yes, I do look at the Antarctica photos often.
      Relief (temporary but welcome) is predicted for us tonight/tomorrow and lots of the country has already got some. Fires still burning though...

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  42. Stunning, Heavenly, beautiful penguins!

    Love Love LOve those guys!! Xxxx

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  43. So many parts of Oz really have had to deal with horrendous conditions lately and it's very distressing to say the least. If it's not one thing it's the other; heatwaves, floods, bush fires, cyclones.....time for some peace and quiet, I think. Just let us get on with our lives evenly and smoothly without worries and heartaches for a while.

    I hope you're okay down your way, EC. Take it steady...and go with the flow....as cool as you possibly can. Take care of yourself...the garden will be okay until you're able to attend to it again....when the temps drop...a lot! :)

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    1. Lee: Relief is in sight. Yay. And I hope that the fires in other states can be bought under control. Today is an anniversary of our fires - lives lost and over 500 homes destroyed so anxiety is high.

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  44. NO wonder that you want to return to cooler places at least in images when it is so hot where you are. I'm sorry that you feel it so hard - not only the plain geat which is already hard to endure, but healthwise as well. I hope you get some cooler weather very soon!

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    1. Carola Bartz: Thank you. I do love the cooler seasons, but they will come.

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  45. Oh my, I've been noticing just how hot a lot of Australia is right now. They keep making mention of it at the Australian Open tennis. Those spectacular photos certainly give one a sense of contentment and feeling cooler. Hope your garden doesn't stay crispy for too long, Sue.

    Look after yourself and stay cool as best you can.

    Gary :)

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    1. klahanie: Dear Gary, thank you. I think some of the garden is past repair but have my fingers crossed. Some rain would be nice.
      And relief is on its way. Soon.

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  46. I've been hearing about the heat at your big tennis match.

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    1. Snowbrush: I think it is a form of insanity that the matches (mostly) continued.

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  47. Perfect images to share this week! What a marvellous place to have visited and what awesome photographs to remember it by. It's hard to imagine such coldness when the temperature has been over 40c for so many days. I hope the cool change is kind to you and reaches you very soon.

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    1. Kim: Antarctica was indeed awesome. And incredibly beautiful. Cool change later today or possibly tomorrow I hope.

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  48. Those pictures are gorgeous. I'm particularly fond of the mountainscapes. Interesting how the seasons appear to be so extreme this year. Wicked winter here, sweltering summer there, what are we to do? I do hope the temps cool for you. Take care!

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    1. Jeff Hargett: Thank you. It was/is an incredible place. A beautiful 'last frontier'. 'Global weirding' has been particularly evident recently hasn't it?

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  49. Nice that you can create a cool place for you mind to go despite the heat around you.

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    1. Grannie Annie: My memories of this beautiful place are always a joy - and this last week a comfort as well. I was soooooo jealous of the people on the ship that was stuck in pack ice just after Christmas.

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  50. I am worried about Australia (the climate).

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    1. Andrew Maclaren-Scott: I am worried about the country's direction AND its climate.

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    2. Just saw Sydney on TV (report on England's humiliation at cricket) and it looked misty and cool for a change, but maybe it was just a humid smog. I could not possibly survive in Australia (due to the heat, not due to the Australians) and it amazes me how any of my pale-skinned Scottish compatriots manage to emigrate there. 29 degrees C is way too hot for me.

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    3. Andrew Maclaren-Scott: Here in Canberra we also have a blissfully grey day today. Humid though, which I can do without. And going up to 31 or 32 again tomorrow. Which is way too hot for me too - though better than it was. Much better.

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  51. I remember these beautiful photos. I love how ice is blue-white. It's beautiful.

    Yes, it's been hot! And today the cool change is on. I'm actually wearing a jumper!

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    1. wordsfallfrommyeyes: No jumpers here - yet. Another day in the mid thirties. Tomorrw will be better though.

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  52. Well...at least I hit the current post on the right day. *sigh* I completely missed this one!
    My fondest wish is to go to Antarctica someday. I'd love to see this place in person but your photos are extraordinary!
    I'm so sorry your MS is acting up - along with baked cat brains...Hugs to you!

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    1. River Fairchild: You are welcome whenever you arrive. If the chance comes to go to Antarctica - just do it.

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  53. Sue, I remember these photos, too. They would be much lovelier if it was also HOT here...but as you know, my surroundings are very comparable to Antarctica now! :) AND....did I miss wishing you Happy Birthday?? I'm so sorry I missed it. I even had it written down in my "birthday book" but it doesn't do any good if I don't look at it! *Sigh.....* I hope you had a wonderful day! Hugs...

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    1. BECKY: Thank you. I cannot tell you how much I have been yearning for the temperatures you have been experiencing. Photos from your part of the world have kept me sane(ish). And my birthday book is sadly underutilised. My bad.

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  54. A few days later, the heat has broken. I look back and think that we have been through a very very traumatic experience with the heat. Your photos of the cold bring comfort - in retrospect.

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