She comes and goes like summer rain
I wait all day for summer rain
And when she comes I smile again
She cools my brain like summer rain

Paul Kelly

I watch as the day heats up. The clouds roll in billowing high, getting thicker and darker as the day wears on.

Sometimes a drop or two will splatter to the ground leaving dark spots in the soft red dust. Most never make it that far - evaporated before they have a chance to moisten the ground.

Day after day the pattern is repeated.

Then this morning - after the hottest day in many months - the heavens finally opened up and wet the ground. Not for long mind you - but 'twas enough.

Perhaps it was more the psychological effect of the feel of rain - the sweetness in the air as the dust settles and is washed away. I love that smell of summer rain. I am reminded of a favourite song by legendary Australian muso, Paul Kelly (quotes above). He tells the story of, how touring through Europe, many of his audience there could not understand the words - "Why does he *want* rain in summer?", they ask.

I guess until you have experienced a summer such as we have here the words might by incomprehensible. After yesterdays high of nearly 46 degrees celsius, I know what he is writing about.

The view from my home balcony - summer rain clouds and street-scape

Of course, its easy to roll a figure like "46 degrees C" off the tongue - quite another to experience it. I was at work yesterday and went out to get some lunch, right at the time the highest temperature was recorded. Just walking the block to the main street was difficult. As you know, I wear glasses with metal rims. It didn't take long for the rims to heat up and start burning into my cheeks. I was very glad to find refuge in the airconditioned cafe to get lunch, and then back into my airconditioned office.

Then there are the other side effects of such weather. Here in Australia summer is also bushfire season. There have been several large fires raging in this area. Ash from one yesterday on the highway to Perth caused power failures to the town (until the local diesel generators could be switched on) - adding to the discomfort as airconditioners went dead. And, of course, my work computer - right in the middle of downloading a file too!

The fires also caused power disruption to the water pumping stations - so that was an added problem - low water pressure and reduced capacity right at the time water consumption was at its peak.

Such is summer in this part of the world. I am reminded that we live on the edge of the outback desert - and things could be a whole lots more uncomfortable than they are.

She cools my brain like summer rain.