Australian summers.
Yes. Australian summers. Now, I am a Brit, so am used to wearing woolies and thermals in the middle of July, carrying an umbrella in August, etc., and quite happy to do so because I don't know any better. The wife is an Aussie, so firmly believes that the seasons over here go from: winter - winterer - f***ing wintery - one day of glorious sunshine and warmth - winter. Rinse and repeat.

The first time I went to Australia with her one December, during the height of their supposed summer, Sydney airport was closed due to a hailstorm and we nearly missed our Sydney harbour bridge climb spot because it absolutely tipped it down along with thunder and lighting! I have never in my life seen rain fall so thickly and so furiously.

The second time I went to Australia, a couple of years later, also during December, the ocean was so cold that we couldn't swim in it without bits (especially important man bits) shrivelling up and dropping off and there were even reports of people taking part in iron men competitions being pulled out of the water with hypothermia ffs. Serves them right, mind you.

In conclusion (and perhaps this also belongs in last week's QOTW), my advice to you is save a grand and go to Wales (or Scotland). It's bloody cold, rains most of the time and you can't swim there either!

Amazingly, however, I've just spluffed 1200 squid on another trip to Oz this Christmas...
(Dr. Scambolic, Fri 27 Jun 2008, 16:07, Reply)