Hot, hot, hot

When we first got down to Melbourne, everyone here bemoaned the 35-degree days and asked how we were coping. Coming from inland Queensland, we laughed at their concern. We're not laughing anymore.

In a string of days hitting the mid-40s (45 degrees Celsius = 113 degrees Fahrenheit), you barely have the energy to smile. I'm sure folks in Victoria and South Australia felt the same the last time it was this hot for this long, a hundred years ago.

Some visitors, such as Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova, have tolerated the heat better than the weakness and even whinged (complained) when the roof was closed on the Rod Laver Arena, which paused the Australian Open. Others, such as Kuznetsova's opponent, American Serena Williams, relished the sweet relief.

I didn't get to watch the match myself. But last Saturday I did catch some action on the big screen in downtown Melbourne and traipsed around the arena snapping photos before the heat wave rolled in. Now I've joined the masses taking refuge indoors and thought I'd send a few photos from the week:

Australia Day:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=57054&l=3de8f&id=529849074

The Noodle Man:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=57408&l=668ab&id=529849074

The Australian Open from a distance:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=57409&l=cb25b&id=529849074

A day in Melbourne:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=57053&l=b0c25&id=529849074

Brighton Beach Bathing Boxes:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1274561&l=79670&id=529849074