Who likes summer?

[Atmos (Colin)]

Does anyone here actually like summer? I detest summer for so many reasons. The majority of people that I find like summer are those that enjoy it from their air conditioned home, office and car.

My job has be working outside for 8-12 hours a day. The flies have me wanting to let loose a Mortein nuclear bomb to wipe out the entire species. The heat and humidity leave me with sweat rashes that turn into blisters if I don’t treat them correctly and it doesn’t matter what hat I wear or how much sun screen I use, my face is always red.
At night I’d enjoy setting up a telescope but after tonight I’ve decided that I’ll not be doing so for the next few months at my house. 30°C at 9:20pm and I’m wearing a jacket and pants, sweat dripping from my face and running down my legs and I still only lasted 20 minutes before my neck started getting sore and my right hand started swelling from all the mosquito bites :/ Took an hour and a half to set up my imaging rig as I spent half of that time sitting in front of a fan inside cooling myself before I over heated or dehydrated.

It’s uncomfortably hot during the day and during the night making it hard to sleep. The nights are short and what little there is is hindered by blood sucking insects. Does summer have any redeeming features?

[xelasnave]

You probably need a small beard if you get a rash in thise parts..

Strap a peltie device to your wrist that could help.

I think you may make the problem worse by self talk...its so hot etc...try saying I feel cool.
On all accounts it apparently wont get better so perhaps you need to get used to the heat.
As to the flies again dont talk yourself into letting them annoy you...they want salt..I have not tried it but maybe soak your hat in salt.
Sorry the heat is getting to me.
Alex

[Shiraz (Ray)]

Originally Posted by Atmos

Does anyone here actually like summer? I detest summer for so many reasons. The majority of people that I find like summer are those that enjoy it from their air conditioned home, office and car.

My job has be working outside for 8-12 hours a day. The flies have me wanting to let loose a Mortein nuclear bomb to wipe out the entire species. The heat and humidity leave me with sweat rashes that turn into blisters if I don’t treat them correctly and it doesn’t matter what hat I wear or how much sun screen I use, my face is always red.
At night I’d enjoy setting up a telescope but after tonight I’ve decided that I’ll not be doing so for the next few months at my house. 30°C at 9:20pm and I’m wearing a jacket and pants, sweat dripping from my face and running down my legs and I still only lasted 20 minutes before my neck started getting sore and my right hand started swelling from all the mosquito bites :/ Took an hour and a half to set up my imaging rig as I spent half of that time sitting in front of a fan inside cooling myself before I over heated or dehydrated.

It’s uncomfortably hot during the day and during the night making it hard to sleep. The nights are short and what little there is is hindered by blood sucking insects. Does summer have any redeeming features?

love it. Just a few things:
steady air - best seeing conditions of the year due to being near the sea,
no dew or life-threatening cold air in the obs.,
fruit is in season - apricots, peaches, grapes, tomatoes, figs etc..
solar panels work a treat to keep the power costs near zero,
blue swimmer crabs are in - best seafood by far,
boating is a sensible activity,
plenty of reasons to drink various bubbly liquids.
etc.
etc

[AndyG (Andy)]

Sorry to hear it Dude,

I've never been further south than Canberra, but what you describe is like Townsville for 1/2 the year. Regarding the mozzies, just do the usual and dump all the still water you can find, and keep the lawn short.

I used to love Summer without reservation, until I started Astro 6 moths ago. I work long hours, and Summer gave me a chance to do things after work in the Daylight. Now it eats into the new hobby time. Oh well, 1st world problem...

Here in Tville the CSIRO has started releasing genetically engineered mozzies that are essentially sterile. They compete for mates, but shoot blanks - hopefully cutting the population long term. We wait and see.

You are right about one thing. Those who "enjoy" summer are rarely "in it". I agree with Alex about the mindset. Imagine being stuck on a motorbike with leather jacket, stopped at a red light, 36Deg C, with a panting ZXR-750 between your legs... Had this problem daily. The only solution is in-situ meditation. Just remove your mind from the location/problem.

[LewisM]

I'm warm blooded, so bring on snow, frosts and chilly winds. I am hoping winter is early this year. Snow in Canberra would make my year.

Nothing like waking up to a white frosted lawn, walking in it to the car then scraping ice off the windscreen.

Daughter No1 and I are sharing a birthday this year at Mt Selwyn in the snow.

[AndyG (Andy)]

Originally Posted by LewisM

Nothing like waking up to a white frosted lawn, walking in it to the car then scraping ice off the windscreen.

Confession time:
I'm 38, and have never seen snow in my life
Double insult - Wife is Japanese, and I've been there maybe 11 times.
Still no snow for Andy. I'm just gonna have a little sook in the corner. Don't mind me

[bigjoe (JOSEPH)]

Originally Posted by Shiraz

love it. Just a few things:
steady air - best seeing conditions of the year due to being near the sea,
no dew or life-threatening cold air in the obs.,
fruit is in season - apricots, peaches, grapes, tomatoes, figs etc..
solar panels work a treat to keep the power costs near zero,
blue swimmer crabs are in - best seafood by far,
boating is a sensible activity,
plenty of reasons to drink various bubbly liquids.
etc.
etc

Just about my sentiments too Ray.

I actually look forward to the seeing..essential for doubles..more so than winter's transparency ..though not the Mozzies........Now , were did I put that cold fig.

bigjoe.

[Ausrock (Chris)]

Originally Posted by Shiraz

love it. Just a few things:
steady air - best seeing conditions of the year due to being near the sea,
no dew or life-threatening cold air in the obs.,
fruit is in season - apricots, peaches, grapes, tomatoes, figs etc..
solar panels work a treat to keep the power costs near zero,
blue swimmer crabs are in - best seafood by far,
boating is a sensible activity,
plenty of reasons to drink various bubbly liquids.
etc.
etc

Yep, got to agree.

As for the bugs, Aeroguard and mozzie coils work a treat for me.

[speach (Simon)]

Give me a cooler time, was out last night trying to image the star were jumping around like fleas on a hot plate, came in at 1.30 am and it still was 24 deg. This weather's not for me night is supposed cool!!

[multiweb (Marc)]

I guess it depends where you live and what you do for work. I enjoy the low 30s at the beach but not so much the mid 40s in the west. I work indoors with aircon so can't complain but had an outdoor job in the past and would dread to be outside in those temps. Looking forward to winter and long nights of imaging. This year's summer heat didn't feel as bad as last year, around Sydney anyway, maybe because we had la nina and a bit more humidity and breeze from the east. But it still got bloody hot at times so one wonders what the next el nino will bring.

[el_draco (Rom)]

I hate it with a passion. Grew up in Northern Victoria and had to spend the Summer holidays hiding from it. Go outside and you'd burn through your shirt; friggin cicadas droning at 3:00 and "sleeping" in a pool of sweat. Came to Tassie to escape, but its going to be 36 today and 30 tomorrow with high humidity. Macquarie island is looking good! Bring back MY SNOW! Anything over 20 C is a dead loss.

[N1 (Mirko)]

Originally Posted by el_draco

I hate it with a passion. Grew up in Northern Victoria and had to spend the Summer holidays hiding from it. Go outside and you'd burn through your shirt; friggin cicadas droning at 3:00 and "sleeping" in a pool of sweat. Came to Tassie to escape, but its going to be 36 today and 30 tomorrow with high humidity. Macquarie island is looking good! Bring back MY SNOW! Anything over 20 C is a dead loss.

Come to NZ mate. You can still have a life at the height of Summer.

the 33°C for next Wednesday is not normal

[omegacrux (David)]

I prefer Winter, dark at 5.30pm
It's hard to cool down easy to warm up!
I like wearing jackets

David

[Camelopardalis (Dunk)]

Too funny guys. Go spend a year in Blighty and see how you like “summer” or indeed the other seasons then

Can’t believe anyone would complain about clear warm nights

[rrussell1962]

Originally Posted by Camelopardalis

Too funny guys. Go spend a year in Blighty and see how you like “summer” or indeed the other seasons then

Can’t believe anyone would complain about clear warm nights

Spot on Dunk, many unhappy memories of setting up in Essex snow with Orion merrily twinkling away like a set of fairy lights. A spray of Bushman is a small price to pay.

[Atmos (Colin)]

Originally Posted by Camelopardalis

Can’t believe anyone would complain about clear warm nights

Clear warm nights aren’t bad at all, being dressed for winter when it’s 30°C outside and still being bitten by dozens of mosquitoes isn’t as much fun

[doppler (Rick)]

Originally Posted by Camelopardalis

Can’t believe anyone would complain about clear warm nights

Summer's not much chop up north either, warm nights yea but not clear, lots of non stop clouds passing through.
Winter though, yes lots of warm clear nights.

[w0mbat (Ian)]

I hate it too. I grew up in Sydney, now live in eastern Victoria at 540 metres and beginning to regret not moving to Tasmania.
We have had what seems like weeks of "Queensland" weather with high humidity, very warm to hot days and warm nights. Pretty unusual here in the past but becoming a regular summer "feature". Today it is 29.4 degrees already and it is only really 9 30 AM.
"Macquarie island is looking good! "
Lucky enough to have been there briefly...rarely have I had such a sense of wildness and the power of nature as on Macquarie island. Highly recommend it. I could happily live there.
Ian

[spiezzy]

I agree with Colin it sucks working in summer out doors I do fencing and and the heat is unbearable and humidity and sleeping at night is just as bad bring on winter

[MattT]

Summer...love it. Melbourne never stays hot enough long enough, would love to live in Adelaide or Hills around or my favourite North East Victoria.

Was in Adelaide recently for the Tour Down Under, very hot and dry....and yes I was out riding in the hills following the race....great holiday.