The Heat Is On

While the U.K. has been enduring freezing conditions over the last few weeks we've also been experiencing a cooler summer than normal.

I'm not complaining, temperatures in the mid-twenties suit me fine. It's been fairly windy too, which has been nice. Some nights we've even needed long sleeves outside. On NYE we dusted off the brazier and fired that up for extra warmth. But the best thing about this weather is that the flies have been virtually non-existent.

This time last year they were the bane of our lives. There were so many of 'em, it was unbelievable. Without warning, one day in late November, they just 'arrived'. In their masses, making our lives a misery until the end of January. Every aspect of the outdoor Aussie lifestyle that we'd moved here to enjoy, was hampered by their constant presence. They were the ultimate pest and I seriously considered turning around and heading home.

Perhaps the cooler temperatures and the breeze have kept their numbers down. That's all changed this last week or so though. It's been in the high thirties all week and today it's 42 degrees.

It's cracking flags as they say back in Blighty.

Cheap Is Good, Free Is Better

Happy New Year to all my readers, I hope you had a good one.

Ours was fairly quiet by usual standards. Hed and Arrrnabel had arrived a couple of days before and we walked down the road to the golf club and had a few drinks while the kids went on the rides and ran around the ninth hole with their pals.

The festivities culminated in a firework display at ten o'clock. We then headed off with friends to our house, where we watched the fireworks from Sydney on telly and saw in the New Year. I had a shift at the gaol the next day so I turned it in shortly after one o'clock. Boooring! The good folk from home will be shaking their heads in disgust. Rightfully so.

New Years Day saw the return of intrepid explorer Neil, to the Dong. He had been scheduled to fly from Sydney at 9.30 in the morning but, due to a heavy night, missed his flight and didn't arrive in Albury until five in the afternoon. He had a ball on tour, but his finances have suffered extensive damage and he has begun his search for gainful employment in the area.

Hed and Arrrnabel returned to the Gold Coast yesterday and seemed to enjoy their stay - we certainly enjoyed having them around. We managed to get a few days out with them, including a day at Albury Races and a trip to Rutherglen's wineries.

It was fortunate that I had a fridge full of home brew as Hed was in thirsty mood during their stay. It was full to the gunnels on their arrival but looked severely depleted on inspection this evening.

Hed's drinking performance surprised me somewhat. I've always considered him a bit of a lightweight when it came to the noble art of knocking back the amber nectar. Clearly what's been holding him back all these years is the fact that he's had to pay for his grog - when it's free and gratis, he turns into the love child of Ollie Reed and Bangor Lil.

You can take the lad out of Rhyl...