Oh my god, how do people live in countries that are consistently in the high 40's? It is 8 days into 2013 and I have experienced the hottest day I have ever been exposed to, reminding me that this country is one of ridiculous extremes. For the last two days word in the office has been about temperatures hitting mid to high forties on Tuesday, however at lunch time today on the way to the gym I couldn't tell you what the fuss was about as it felt normal temperature. But oh my god, on leaving the office I was not expecting the furnace I walked out into tonight. A bizarre feeling of being slightly winded because it's almost too hot to breath and the feeling of being very aware that this kind of heat is far from normal which kind of brings a freaky eariness to the atmosphere. How had the temperature changed this much in the space of 4 hours - someone somewhere has a thermostat and Jesus they have just turned it up. Feeling something simultaneously burning my arm and wrist, I realise that my jewellery and metal clasps on my bag are instantly so hot that they are unbearable to the touch, this is insane! Sitting on the ferry, not even moving, sweat starts to roll down every crevice - charmingly attractive, not! Walking up to the apartment it feels like I'm in a room with the heating turned up as high as it will go with a hair dryer aimed at me. And this is what they reckon Perth is like 24/7 well WA you can keep the heat, this is hideous, get me home to air con and for those of you unfortunate enough not to have air con, get those wet t-towels in the freezer!!
Again though a reminder that nature has us all in the palm of her hand and with the flick of a switch can pretty much dictate life. In all the hilarity around the temperature and the excessive forecast pictures across the Facebook feed where every Brit in Australia felt the need to comment on and report on the temperature (me included!) this extreme weather condition of course was catastrophic elsewhere . With temperatures still at 40 degrees at 9pm at night 130+ bush fires were recorded across the state injuring firefighters and threatening homes, however, thank god, no loses of life - this time anyway.