In England we often quote a line from Mark Twain, “If you don't like the weather, wait a few minutes. It was actually written about New England, a different continent entirely. I've since discovered that weather is contrary the world over and England doesn't have the sole claim to it. Last Friday, here in South Australia, we were given a teaser of spring weather, with temperatures reaching 27°C (80.5°F). The following day it not only rained, it hailed! The first time I was told that we'd had hail here in SA, I didn't believe them, because it was well above freezing point. I soon learnt that 8°C (46.5°F) is plenty cold enough for hail. South Australian weather was quick to teach me,
“Your weather ain't special Pom!”
I lived in England until ten years ago when we first set foot in South Australia. We arrived at the start of winter and everything was green and wet, just like England. It wasn't anything like I'd imagined after watching Crocodile Dundee. The grass was growing, there were flowers everywhere. This climate wasn't so tough! Winter turned to spring and in September we got a 30°C (86°F). Now that was finally something to talk about. Still, we didn't really get any scorching days as we headed into summer, like the locals kept promising. The second to last month of summer was coming to a close and finally, on Australia day, we got warm enough for a water fight! Our excitement lasted until the following day, the first day back at school after the summer holidays. Adelaide hit a temperature record of 47.5°C,(117.5°F) meaning further north, where we were, it hit 49°C (120°F). Where we live now would have been 50°C (122°F)! That taught us cocky Poms!
I started volunteering at the school shortly after, because their air-conditioning was better than ours.
Our dry climate means that you can supposedly knock about 10°C off the temperature to get an idea of the heat feel for humid Old Blighty. England's record top temperature was 37.5°C (99.5°F) and that was a population reducer! People were keeling over everywhere. Imagine 40°C (104°F) there; that would be total annihilation!
Arriving in winter, it didn't occur to me why the most popular car colour here was white or silver. So we bought a sleek black car. In summer it doubles up as a bbq and we can cook on the bonnet (that's the hood for any American speakers). I'm thinking of naming it Barbie, then we can say, “Chuck another shrimp on the barbie!”
I've since learnt a bit more about Aussies. First off, most of them aren't Mick (Crocodile) Dundee, because they mostly live in cities. Country Aussies are tough, they have to be, but city Aussies are generally as soft as all city slickers. Some of them wear shorts all year round, because they are so used to air conditioning winter actually feels warm to them. They're scared of pretty much all animals, because it's common knowledge that everything's trying to kill you here. Hubby, , caught a stingray at the beach one Christmas and the young lifeguards were enthusiastically warning the curious kids to stay away, because it could bite them and kill them like Steve Irwin!
Country Aussies are a different breed. They all live in tin sheds to toughen them up. It's a fridge in winter and a furnace in summer. When they have exams, not only do they have to pass them, they have to try not to pass out in the furnaces they sit them in. I think it's an initiation trial as they reach adulthood. If you can survive the exams you can survive the outback.
Driving is completely different in Aussie culture too. In England if you want to change lanes you check for a gap, then indicate to let the car in the other lane know that you plan to change lanes. They respond to this signal by easing off to let you move safely into that lane. In Australia indicating is a signal to the car in the other lane that you think they need to close the gap between themselves and the car in front. They are always quick oblige. If you actually want to change lanes you should check for a safe gap, match your speed to the cars in that lane, then indicate and swiftly pull into that space, both at the same time.
I nominate again, because I just can't resist, and
, when he gets a bit of time.