Howdy(2)

Peter Wu & others

25 January 2013

Peter Wu: Charles, it¡¦s so kind you think of me and our dear buddies in Oz.

You don¡¦t need to worry about me in Kiwiland as we have been enjoying one of the finest stretches of weather we have seen in a while.

The highs are about 25 degrees Celsius and the humidity is about 50% so that makes a perfect day for outdoor activities, or alfresco lunch or dining.

Cold showers are too warm to my liking.

Having said that, the day time temperature can be a bit too hot for outdoor work, like gardening, painting or some strenuous activities, especially when the sun is on your back.

Turning to my buddies in Oz, they have my sympathy. I no longer have the stomach for temperatures over 40 degrees Celsius for days on end. As if they have not got enough to cope, there were out of control bush fires. I can handle the heat but I can¡¦t handle high heat and humidity combined. This is why I don¡¦t like Queensland a great deal. It reminds me of the oppressive heat and humidity I used to endure in HK.

Like New Jersey, the UK is also experiencing abnormal temperatures and snow-falls. They had one of the wettest year on record last year. Now the rain is replaced by snow. Poor Metis, time to leave the rain and snow in UK behind and move to Seattle for good.

In spite of everything I said about the weather, here and globally, I count myself lucky living in Kiwiland. Every day in the past fortnight, when I look up, I see nothing but clear blue sky. There is no haze, there is no smog, there are no particles which stink your eyes. For this I wouldn¡¦t live in Beijing for a million year.

PS  During the heat waves in Oz, people could cook an egg on the roof of the car. Rubber Jandals literally melt on the tar-sealed surface. Electricity grids malfunction so knocking out the aircon. I admire the Oz for putting up with that.

Conry Tsang: Peter, thanks for your concern of those downunder. Yes the bush fire has been really bad. The fortunate things for us was that the fires have been mostly in the country areas, so we guys in the cities have escaped the tragedies. Nevertheless we should still be mindful of those who fell victims in those circumstances! Thanks to the firefighters, they have been doing an excellent job in controlling and fighting the fires, and in saving properties and lives!

As for he heat wave, Sydney recorded the highest temperture since 1939 last Friday! My car registered 46 degree C (115F) outside temperture! Thanks to air-conditioning everywhere, we survived! Another irony was, we had 24 degrees the next day! Crazy, hunn......!

Unfortunately, bush fires and heat waves are the things that we have to put up with in our summer months! The weather bureau has warned that the worse is to come usually in February! But you guys don't have to worry about that. When you plan your trip downunder, just avoid January and February, or spend those months in kiwiland before you come here! Guarantee a good time!

Dr. Hon: Sue, Peter, Bernard and I have escaped to Paris however it's even colder than the UK, no let up anywhere we go. It might get warmer toward the weekend.

Been engaging in some serious retail therapy.

- To be continued -