We’ve survived Y2K and now the ‘end’ of the Mayan calendar on 21st December (see our earlier post about this event).
Today (Sunday) there was a severe weather warning, forecasting damaging hail stones, powerful winds, thunder storms and more. We managed to survive that as well. And, just like Y2K and December 21st, this was something of an anticlimax.
We’re currently living on a farm on the outskirts of Sydney.
Today was a very hot day and Danita and I actually spent quite a while in the swimming pool. We’re very happy ON the water (especially when it involves sails) but are not very much into being IN the water so pool time is a notable event. Having said that, we are grateful for the opportunity to spend quiet time in an environment which would cost others a considerable amount – a beautiful country property with a swimming pool.
As the sky began to darken and the winds came up we decided it was time to leave the pool. On checking the Bureau of Meteorology rain radar site we were stunned to see very intense rain patterns very close to where we’re living. This was combined with the above-mentioned severe weather warning.
We decided to settle down on the verandah and watch the show.
While we watched the sky darkened, lightning flashed across the skyline and thunder rolled around the hills surrounding the valley. For a while there was an eerie silence – the only sound a single fly.
Occasionally, there was a rustle of leaves as a gust of wind moved up the valley – you could hear it coming before you’d see the movement or feel anything. When the breeze dropped, the air was very still and a blanket of humidity wrapped around us.
Acting on the information in the weather warning we moved our car to a ‘safe’ place.
We waited and waited.
The sky around the valley then started to lose its intensity. Occasionally, there’d be a flash of lightning and some time later the roll of thunder – but no rain.
Just like other ‘disasters’ and ‘cataclysms’, this turned out to be a great opportunity to sit together, share time with loved ones and become part of Gangajang’s great song “Sounds of Then (This is Australia)”. So, until next time, enjoy the music.