Christmas in Australia

This entry was written on Dec 27, 2009 by our Australian Guru H. Clare Callow

Christmas Day in Australia has a tendency to be cold. Don't ask me why. All of the days leading up to the day are the usual hot summer weather (complete with 30 degree night-times) but on Christmas Day the weaher seems to sense that the entire nation is preparing for a barbeque and puts on rain in response. It's worse for Tasmania, where the weather has access to heavier artillery, as Christmas sometimes involves snow.

Christmas Day being over now, the weather is gearing up for another incredible summer. Hope all Lifetips readers had a great holiday season, and happy New Year!

The Ashes

Every 18 to 30 months, a team of cricketers from either Australia or England jets over to their opposite's country for several weeks of sport. The event is called the Ashes and is central to cricket in either country.

The Ashes began in 1882, when the English team lost on home soil for the first time to Australia. An obituary was published, declaring English cricket dead and that the body would be cremated and the ashes sent to Australia. Shortly after, an English team set off to tour Australia and the English captain, Ivo Bligh (Lord Darnley), declared he would bring the ashes back.

The metaphor was given body by some ladies in Melbourne, who presented Bligh with a small ceramic urn containing ashes. The urn became the symbol of the competition which takes place roughly every two years (with varying gaps, as the summer game is played in alternating hemispheres). The urn itself is not awarded to the winners of the Ashes, but remains in the museum at Lord's. Since 1998, the teams have competed for a Waterford crystal trophy.

The Ashes is Test cricket, consisting of five five-day games. Whichever side wins the most games is the winner. If there is a draw, the trophy remains with the winner of the previous series.

Samoan tsunami tragedy

This entry was written on Sep 30, 2009 by our Australian Guru H. Clare Callow

Australians are no strangers to tragedy. Our roving nature means that at least a few of us can be found at the site of any world event. While Australia as a country is incredibly lucky to escape many of the environmental tragedies that have occurred in recent years, it is often that we lose men and women who are travelling overseas.

The tsunami that hit the South Pacific islands of Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga, has yet again wreaked havoc in the lives of people who could least afford it. Among the dead areaat least four Australians, with many more missing. Many new Australians await news of what has happened to relatives in their homeland.

In the face of such devastation, it seems trite to offer any sympathies to those affected. I cannot possibly imagine what it is like to wait for news of someone, or to pick up the pieces of life after an environmental tragedy like a tsunami. The world watches, waits, and hopes for better things for everyone suffering in the South Pacific.

Summertime is on its way

This entry was written on Sep 13, 2009 by our Australian Guru H. Clare Callow

Yes, it's September. Summer, however, is definitely in the air. Yesterday's reported high in Melbourne was 30°C (which, for those in Farenheit, is 86 degrees, or in other words, hot). While Oz is promoted as the land of sun and sand, it's really unusual for it to be this hot in September. In fact, yesterday was the hottest day in early September since records began.

It's nice to have a taste of summer, but it does cause a little worry about what's to come. With the heat yesterday came winds, bringing to mind the conditions that led to the devastating bushfires at the start of the year. Conditions are nowhere near as bad as they were then, but as usual the sun in Australia brings with it a certain amount of environmental responsibility. This summer, it will be even more important than usual for visitors to be aware of the fire restriction procedures that are advertised throughout the country.

Australian Winter Travel

This entry was written on Aug 14, 2009 by our Australian Guru H. Clare Callow

It's winter in Australia at the moment, and although the weather in the south is fairly dreadful (not particularly cold, but lots of rain), this time of year is perfect for travel up north.

My favourite winter getaway is Noosa. Up above Brisbane in Queensland, Noosa was once a sleepy little town but is now a popular tourist resort. This is kind of frustrating for those of us who, although tourists ourselves, like to feel we've gone off the beaten track. Visiting in the winter is one way of encountering as few other people as possible.

Staying by one of Noosa's rivers and canals is another. Travellers who are willing to be a 30 minute walk from the main beach area will find some great waterside accommodation in Noosa's suburbs, where the prices are significantly cheaper and the streets slightly quieter. Some truly wonderful restaurants can be found.in this area as well.

There will be no Noosa for me this year, but I can dream of the next time I can run away for a few days far from the Melbourne winter.

The Ashes, Summer, and Renovation

This entry was written on Aug 02, 2009 by our Australian Guru H. Clare Callow

Well,summer has apparently hit England and winter has landed in Australia (not coincidentally), but as far as I can tell the weather is the same. The main reason you can tell it's summer in England at the moment is the amount of cricket that's going on, particularly the tournament that's dear to every Australian's heart, the Ashes.

This traditional game between Blighty and her colony began after an Australian team, having thoroughly beaten their British counterparts, burned part of the wicket and presented its ashes to the English team, pronouncing English cricket dead. This insult obviously had to be answered, and so every two years or so a test match is played out, usually with the Aussies winning.

I say 'two years or so' because, cricket being a summer game and the matches alternating hemispheres, it's between 18 and 30 months for every test. This year's is in England but from the weather, it might as well be in Australia because it's just as 'summery' over there at the moment.

To me, test cricket has to be in horrible heat, with the grass turning yellow and the game enjoyed with a nice picnic full of summery foods. Frequent breaks because the bowler's hands are too cold just don't seem right.

I am ever-so-slowly reconstructing the tips on this site, and hopefully soon will make it a little easier to navigate.