When it comes to increasingly more common dangerous weather systems, we’ve really got nothing to complain about in our small party of the world. I may have had a moan about the generally more humid conditions and bigger swells this summer. These are however not even a drop in the ocean compared to what northern Western Australia and the eastern states have had to endure. Currently tropical cyclone Alfred is heading towards the coast of Queensland. The forecast does shift a bit, but it looks to be making landfall at Bribie Island:
Bribie Island was our base last year, when we popped over to visit and stay with Mikie. He and his family have done a massive tidy up to prepare, as it is the projectiles that become the most dangerous. On the plus side it is likely to be downgraded to a category one as it makes landfall, at close to midday tomorrow. With winds ‘only’ between 63–87 km/h. It also looks to bring with it over four inches of rain on both Saturday and Sunday. Fingers crossed they stay safe. Mario meanwhile is overseas for work, and a bit of play:
Making the most of a trip over to sample some of the local rock, and climbing on Aztec Sandstone in Nevada. As luck would have it, it rained for the first time in some three months while he was there. Only quarter of an inch, but even that is enough to put the kibosh on climbing. The sandstone soaks up the moisture and becomes more fragile. For this reason it is requested you don’t climb for 24 to 72 hours after rain, depending on a few factors. This is taken pretty seriously and there is even a website called the wet rock police:
Today there was not a drop in sight for Howsie and me. The morning hues were that bit brighter, not however due to lingering clouds but smoke haze hanging low from burn offs. We’ve had a couple of warm days and the air felt a little heavy, meaning that while there was no sign of a sprinkle from above, it didn’t take long for us to warm up and start sweating. Not ideal at Welly Dam. Today however I was taking it easy. Allowing Howsie all the leads and going up with a rope above me. Other than the times my mind went into auto pilot:
This only happened a couple of times, when instinctively I pulled the rope through after Howsie had completed the route and had been lowered. This was fortunately on the easier routes, not that this helped my state of mind. I felt nervous, even on them. You may recall at Moses Rocks I hinted at feeling a little woozy. Sure enough Lisa had kindly shared with me the lurgy that had wiped her out. Judging by the way she, and then I reacted, I feel pretty confident that it was indeed round three of COVID, not that our older tests picked it up:
Unlike poor Lisa who gets smashed, I was only a little weary and achy,. Allowing me to carry on regardless and work from home. Despite feeling like I was past the worse I still forewarned Howsie of the probable cause. The call of rock was however too strong for him to resist. We were at least a bit sensible, driving up separately as a precaution. It’s always great to be out and on rock and we had a great time. I have to admit though, that as I pulled moves, which would normally be a breeze, I certainly felt a tad washed out but give time and I’ll be right as rain:
Sandbagged 