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Thou art to me a delicious torment.


Here is the river Derwent enjoying a spell of good weather yesterday morning.

Of course, it is Theme Thursday yet again, and the theme is a challenging one for me, stuck here in Tasmania during the coldest and wetest winter in my memory since that Annus horribilis of 1996.

The theme, you see, is that of FESTIVAL. A FESTIVAL is an event, usually
staged by a local community, which centres on some unique, interesting or exciting aspect of that community.

Back in June we had the Ninth Antarctic Midwinter Festival down here in Hobart, but the only event I wanted to go to got called off because of winter rain. Who knew that Huskies don't like getting wet?

You see, it's been too cold, too wet, and there have just been too many pandemic scares to get anyone in a party mood. My house have pretty much seen an endless loop of coughing, cranky and tired people clutching wet handkerchiefs while snapping at each other and grizzling. Oh, and complaining about the endless rain.

Yes, the only FESTIVAL that we are in any real position to host would be the not very exciting First Annual Festival of Snot.

I mean really, how excited can you get when this is the kind of day you've had for the past three months?:

Comments

Roddy said…
You know, I believe that as long as it continues to rain it keeps the snow at bay. We have wet and cool or snowy and bitterly cold. Which do you prefer?
Kris McCracken said…
I would rather colder with snow, but clear blue sky, than wet and cold.

You can take the kids out more easily on clear cool days. Plus photos are easier.
Elaine Yim said…
Yor first photo makes me feel like 'singing in the rain'. Is that Tasmania city?
Kris McCracken said…
It is indeed the capital city of Tasmania, Hobart!
Brian Miller said…
hope the weather clears soon, snot looking very fun...lol. would rather have the snow as well.
Kris McCracken said…
Brian, I give it to October...
JeffScape said…
At the least the traffic looks lighter. :D
Kris McCracken said…
It's always okay down there. That said, no one ever uses their indicators!
Sarah said…
I really love the cold weather with snow as I am a snow girl because of I was born at a cold winter!
rain is also a pleasant event to me! I liked your text about FESTIVAL :)) you know that I won a prize in the spaghetti festival last week in Mashhad!:p
Anonymous said…
Oh, well at least it's cold and wet in your WINTER. In Canada, we've had the coldest, wettest Summer imaginable! I've been wearing coats and sweaters all summer! Winter will probably be wet again too...
yamini said…
I respect your sentiments Kris and would be happy to exchange position with you.

You are welcome to come and live here in India, while I would be happy to come to Hobart.

Besides having my fill of the rain, I would also get to play with Henry and Ezra, now that is something good to think of!!!! So, Jen and you can plan your trip while I pack my bags..

I would be waiting for your reply, :-))
I actually envy you a bit right now (well not the handkerchief part). What I wouldn't give for some rain (so so hot here in Greece it makes you sick:)!

xoxo
Sue said…
Once again...envy you the rain! We had three drops the other day and that's been it for this winter! I have noticed blossom everywhere here though...so that means Spring is on its way! Not long now, Kris.
It is terribly hard amusing children inside for too long. I remember having a tent in my lounge for months as Cody did his usual outdoor activities inside. I just worked around it all. I miss it sometimes.
I just got my first notice for the Falls Festival which is held up the coast on New Year's (over three days). You guys in Tassie have a sister festival to it at Marion Bay. A good lineup again this year!
yournotalone said…
Uhh, Northern Hemisphere is getting closer and closer to this - I mean weather.
Ed & Jeanne said…
I know the feeling, it does that for about 8 months here...
Alan Burnett said…
I was tempted to say keep all that bad weather down there as it keeps it away from us. But it doesn't. We have it as well. Love the idea of the Festival of Snot.
Kat Mortensen said…
Count me OUT! (I know what you mean, though - I've been there some winters...endless snot and phlegm, don't forget the phlegm.)

Kat
Roddy said…
Touche'.
I have just spent 2 days out in the rain, tank washing. Put wet weather gear on and you sweat that much that you might as well not bother. Just as wet under the protection as if you don't have anything on. Add a cold wind and you freeze. At least I'm not sticking to the frozen railing.
tut-tut said…
It's so hot here, it's amazing it's winter there. I wish you could blow some cold and rain my way!
Roy said…
Kris, that shot looks like our July, except we have leaves on the trees; we had almost 12 inches (30 cm) of rain.

And it rained on the Sunday of the Newport Folk Festival (August 2), although we've come to expect that - in its 50 year history, there have been maybe only 5 festival Sundays when it didn't rain. Long-time festival-goers learned long ago to pack an umbrella and a poncho.
Betsy Brock said…
I'm feeling a little sick just reading about it! LOL! I forgot you Aussies are having your winter now, as I'm sitting here in the AC to keep out of the humidity and 90 degrees! Stay away from the swine flu! Feel better soon!
Hallam said…
I don't think it has been as cold as other years but it certainly has been miserable with all the bugs going around.
Anonymous said…
your tormenting me with water
Baino said…
Don't knock it. We're below 60% capacity again despite a really wet autumn earlier in the year. I'm just thinking Pipers Brook is going to have a good vintage next year. Hey I know it's north of you but . ..yum!
Anonymous said…
Kris, I don't mind the cold but enough of the wet, already! We've had more than our share this summer...and snow is prefereable :)
Debo Hobo said…
That's a great shot, very clear like I'm standign on the street too.
tony said…
Jeeze It Could Be England!(IN SUMMER!!!!!!)
Kris McCracken said…
Sarah, I quite like winter. But I would prefer less grey rainy days than this. What prize did you win?
Kris McCracken said…
Yoork, we have those too!
Kris McCracken said…
yamini, poor old India!
Kris McCracken said…
Marianna, the grass is greener for everybody, it seems! ;)
Kris McCracken said…
Sue, I am not very impressed with much of the popular music these days. I think that I have been spoiled by having too critical an eye.
Kris McCracken said…
Aigars Bruvelis, global warming! Or cooling. One of them, anyway!
Kris McCracken said…
VE, no fun at all.
Kris McCracken said…
Alan Burnett, it is a great festival.
Kris McCracken said…
Poetikat, good old phlegm...
Kris McCracken said…
tut-tut, you’re welcome to it.
Kris McCracken said…
Roy, put on an outdoor gig, and you’re bound to get rain!
Kris McCracken said…
Betsy, I may have had the swine flu. I certainly had flu.
Kris McCracken said…
Hallam, it’s not been so cold, but it has been wet.
Kris McCracken said…
pasadenaadjacent, I am just cruel like that.
Kris McCracken said…
Baino, you know that all is well when the farmers are complaining. Two months ago, they were complaining about no rain. Now, they are complaining about the rain.
Kris McCracken said…
subtorp77, too true!
Kris McCracken said…
Debo Hobo, bring an umbrella!
Kris McCracken said…
tony, not at the Oval, I hope.
Sarah said…
I won the prize of the most beautiful spaghetti structure there. My structure was the Effiel tower with spaghetti!
They give a very big box of spaghetti with a set of dishes as prize :p
Kris McCracken said…
Sarah, that sounds like awfully hard work.

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