Just what we all need. A dose of Mother Nature at its finest, we had the hot weather a couple weeks ago, thunder and lightning since yesterday and now hail!

Does wonders to the image of Melbourne as a tourist destination, when friends from the UK are asking me to say hello to the Sun on their behalf.

And I was thinking of attending the “Strawberry and Cherry Weekend Festival“, being held in Bacchus Marsh. Thought it might be a good day for strawberry picking (not).

Oh, guess what, the sun is out now. What’s the chances of seeing a rainbow now?

It has been raining a bit in the city in the past few days. Well, its not really rain rain, and it really is just a bit. maybe a little drops of water here. and a bit more there.

All part of that four seasons in a day cliche I suppose. The age old conundrum of the Melburnian resident.

The Whitlams apparently weighed in on the topic back in 1998, in their song ‘Melbourne’. Their response : Melbourne’s a ‘rainy city’. Save the title, the song doesn’t mention us by name, and its more about being in love with ‘this [quirky] girl, and her town as well’. Have a watch :

The Whitlam\'s Melbourne on youtube.

Sure is catchy tune. And its so, simplistically happy. If I were to guess, and I mean a shot in the dark, hands tied behind my back, aiming at the toilet with the seat down, blindfolded kind of guess, the interesting girl probably is an avatar for Melbourne itself.

Heh. Okay, so even a drunk year 12 Xavieran can make that connection. But it really is a good song, however you interpret it. And any mayor-elect that promises to make this our City Anthem will have my vote!

Spotted a double rainbow last Thursday evening at around 5.15pm after work in Doncaster. Beautiful hues across a red sky, coupled with a freezing cold snap that’s been gripping Melbourne for the best part of three months now. Guess we can’t have everything.

With weather such as ours, we should do the best we can. Since it is still school holidays, why not take the kids out to the snow fields and enjoy the freeze? The snow cams at all the ski resorts are all showing white powder, snow I mean.

Inauspicious dark clouds hanging really low across the suburb of Cairnlea. It’s been really wet and cold these few days. Don’t forget your umbrella or stylish raincoat when you head out! And above all, stay warm.

Just an add on to Darren’s fog post (and mine several days back). The annual Fog Festival has descended upon our shores again. Drive slowly and carefully, and remember, do not turn on those pesky high beams. Image was taken Sunday night in Cairnlea at 11.30pm, after dinner at a friend’s. The fog makes for pretty pictures, but vision’s obscured to less than 30 feet. As of this morning, the fog’s having a field day with communications and transport.

A 3 degree, foggy morning in Doncaster at 8.45AM last Thursday. It was so cold, even the breath coming out of my nose turned misty.

As it turned out, it was the coldest week of May in 27 years.

And we’re still several weeks away from winter. Eek! A precursor to Winter 2008?

Spare a thought for those who have to venture out into the freezing nights or early mornings to go to work. The temperature are down into the single digits. Coupled with rain in the next couple of days, it will be really really cold!

Check out the current temperature for Victoria!

So, how have all your day been? I witnessed the worst possible dust storm blowing from the west this morning, enjoyed the gale force wind that saw trees broken in halves. I have yet to witness a flying cow but the welcoming rain that followed was a blessing since my car was covered completely in dust. The Melbourne International Flower Show was cancelled and visitors were evacuated after falling branches hit several visitors. And that is just the weather.

The traffic … how long did it take you to drive/ride home? I saw the long traffic on the Calder snaking itself back into the city. I missed all the chaos on the Westgate bridge, and the traffic out of the city was really a standing room only carpark.

And as I was leaving the city this evening, I saw the police cordoning off the RACV building on Bourke Street. Fire in the kitchen? They aren’t having a good evening either.

I’m sitting naked in my chair, with my gut hanging out, fan at full speed directed at me. And I still feel like I’m in a sauna.

Best part is, I don’t care how unsexy I look now.

It’s 38 degrees outside now, but factor in the conducted heat coming in from the roof and the heat from the glass window, it’s easily about 45 degrees in the room now.

March in Melbourne truly is the most unpredictable time of the year. It was a top of 25 degrees a couple of days ago.

For dinner tonight, I’m having chicken burgers with a fried egg. I’m contemplating frying the egg with my trusty roof. Saves me some gas.

Deliver me from evil, I mean, the heat.

What the hell is everyone doing to keep themselves cool? Any suggestions that doesn’t involve taking another cold shower would be nice.