SkyWatch - Just a Little Weather

Late today, we were hit by the biggest electrical storm of the year.

A little bit of this

and a little bit of that,

resulted in a new out-door shower!

The storm, with pelting rain and hail, hit directly above us.
Within minutes, not only the power was out but our daughter's
house took a direct hit to the chimney.

Massive bolts of lightning are frightening at any time but
being locked in a Faraday cage can be just as unnerving.
Water being an excellent conductor, the electricity from the
lightning is conducted into the ground down the wet walls.
Although one is safe inside and thank goodness the cats
and dogs were as well, the sensation is to say the least,
eerie.

Luckily, the power was restored after 5 hours but too late
for a hot meal. A sandwich by candlelight was all we managed
to rustle up.

Hope you are all keeping safe!

OUR WORLD - Moonta Bay

Our first day was cloudy

but the next morning was bright and perfect for trying out my

new 500mm lens from our balcony. This is the jetty at Port

Hughes, a good 5 miles away.

People walking happy dogs down to the beach for a swim

and the occasional cormorant sitting on the breakwater.

Then the light changed to a lurid yellowish green and

a massive storm blew up with torrential rain , flashing lightning

all across the sky and almost interminable rumble of thunder.

The rain was so thick, you could hardly see the sea.

It left the world newly washed with instant little lakes in every

man made depression to increase the uptake of water for the

support of the struggling coastal vegetation.

As soon as the storm had passes (a few marvellous hours),

the sun peeped out from the clouds and the sea was calm and

perfect for a good evening's fishing and crabbing.

Needless to say, under such circumstances and long walks

along the beach and jetty, I returned wonderfully refreshed.

On Wednesday we are off for our next adventure to the Riverland.

Again I will be out of reach of the internet but would so appreciate any

comments you care to leave.

Have you put up your OUR WORLD post yet? If not, get your skates on!

Watery Wednesday ~ White horses on the Wind

Click to enlarge.

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Sea horses galloping

white manes flying

noses into the wind.

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Where do they run to

what do they seek

snorting in the storm.

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They seek their freedom

they seek their home

far, far from churning foam.

SkyWatch ~ 51 Stormy Weather

I'm back on line again in our half-way house motel
in Horsham which does have internet..hooray!!



The drive of over 250 miles from Melbourne to
here was rather a strain with pouring rain, wind
gusts so you could not open a door against them
and intermittent hail for good measure.



Cars were kicking up spray that made it even worse,
especially when passing huge trucks when you had to
trust your luck and instinct to stay on the road.



Part of the way was dual carriage-way, here is the
spray of the on coming traffic.



Another hazard was the threat of aquaplaning on
the water filled ruts left by heavy pan-technicons
when the tarmac had softened in the summer heat.



It looks like tomorrow will be similar, but at least
it is the last leg home.

Thank you all for your good wishes, I am certain they

helped to keep us safe. I have 1,200 photos from this trip,

so be prepared to be blinded by the beauties of Australia

for quite a while.