We are currently in the midst of a heatwave here in Austria. And yes I know, I do tease the Austrian folk about how much they complain the second the temperature goes over 25 degrees, but I have to say, this heatwave is a good one. It’s been consistently over 30 for more than a week now. And while that may be fairly ‘normal’ in Oz, it only tends to happen once a year here (if we’re lucky) – and it’s only June!
A lot of the time, because I live in a mountainous region, despite the days’ heat, the temperature cools down significantly at night. Yet the other night at 10pm it was still 26 degrees! The other thing we are usually prone to at this time of year is summer storms – every day at 4pm, without fail. But in the last days there’s been a few angry clouds and some sporadic drops of rain, but nowhere near enough to be called a ‘storm’ and certainly not enough to water my garden!
For me though, it feels like summer, and that feels like home. I’ve been sleeping soundly and waking up happy. I love getting out of bed and not having to put pants on! I mean, with home office there’s no need to put pants on anyway, but previous to now I had to put pants on to stay warm.
Also because of home office I’ve been able to get to the pool most days, in the mornings, when it’s not overcrowded but still warm enough for me to tolerate the fresh Austrian pool water (because they do cold well, these Austrians). And I’ve run out of blankets and other ‘thick’ items to wash… so that’s one job done for the year!
Personally I would be happy for it to continue, but I understand – some people really struggle in the heat – some aren’t as lucky as me to live in a house that stays relatively cool – and let’s be honest… we need the rain!
But however long it lasts I’ll continue to enjoy it. I’ve already invoked ‘Australian summer protocol’ – that get up early, open all doors and windows to cool the house down and then lock it all down again. Being in a warm dark house during the day takes me back to my childhood when it was 40+ outside and staying in was the only option. If it gets hotter I’ll resort to cold showers before bed and I’ll eat my dripping watermelon outside, spitting the pips into the garden, despite the heat. I’ll drink it all in, and I’ll try and save some heat for when it’s snowing outside.
an aussie in austria 
Oh the dream to have the temperature drop at night. I wouldn’t mind summer if that was the case here. Hoping you have some more fab summer weather!
Yeah… I think I have some repressed memories of sweltering nights in Melbourne… no air con in sight and no relief. When I look at the weather for the next week it will still be in the early 30s but for 15-16 in the night… quite ok for sleeping!
It’s for that reason that I dread summer here. That and mosquitoes. Hope the nights will be nice this week.
Yep – I think the storms are finally coming! Let’s hope they don’t create problems of their own!
Glad summer is bringing such happy memories.
And you stay warm over there!