Yo Yo Spring & Extreme Weather

Melbournians are quite used to Spring being the season that yo yo's - up one minute with 36 degrees C, down to 12 degrees with Antarctic winds the next. This spring has seemed quite cool and definitely wet.
My water tanks are completely full to overflowing. The winter doona is still on my bed, though it got thrown on the floor last night after Summer officially started.
The Bureau of Meterology (BOM) is warning that the cold weather will return later this week. So the doona hasn't yet been packed away until next April.

However, the statistics from the BOM show that we have continued the warming trend shown earlier in the year. The Conversation's article "Australia records its warmest spring on record "shows this year has been record breaking throughout the year.
I watched the Catalyst special on ABC TV last night -How to get prepared for extreme weather - laughing at the extremes the film crew put their hapless families through while simulating a fire and flood.
The two main points of the special were: Be prepared- have your disaster plan written down and regularly actioned and that the number of extreme weather effects are increasing - were demonstrated nicely.

As a suburban dweller, I belong to that lazy majority that has no written disaster plan.
I have an emergency box which has my important documents and occasional other things in it. I run a fairly comprehensive pantry so can keep myself fed for a couple of weeks and so long as the water tanks are moderately full will have access to water (unpurified). I also have access to multiple means of cooking including a gas barbecue which allows for some independence in the event of disaster to electricity and gas supply.
I have a wood burning combustion heater and fuel supplies. I have solar hot water and PV.

But if I had to evacuate then all bets are off for preparedness. See the CFA Fire Plan Template.
I should be better prepared for storms and other events following the experiences of my family in the Christchurch earthquake.
So perhaps my Christmas Season need to include writing and practicing a disaster plan.
What about you?

Post holiday musings

Now that I'm back in the real world rather than inhabiting Middle-Earth its time to muse on the climate I found while exploring Hobbit Holes in Hobbiton, Matamata (New Zealand).
I spent 21 days on holidays - only 1 rainy day and 1 cloudy day. The hills throughout the North Island of New Zealand were parched and the stone fruit had ripened a couple of weeks earlier than normal.

View from Bag End, Hobbiton, AKA Alexander Farm, Matamata, New Zealand. The tourist venue has been watered constantly this summer to keep it green.

While I was away, Melbourne sweltered through 15 days of above 30 degrees C weather, also with little rain. The Bureau of Metereology claims its "been the hottest summer yet" a reason why I went south in February to escape the grinding heat. Although floods occurred in Queensland and NSW  "Victoria had its driest summer since 1984-85 and South Australia since 1985-86."

So in this election year, what will the people of Australia decide - a Carbon Tax or "Direct Action"? What will happen to the Greens if the Coalition wins, as the polls plummet for the current Federal Government. Long months of hysteria and politicking to go.

So have a look at the Soil Carbon report by Radio National Background Briefing a couple of days ago.

Given how much we continue to despoil our soil and vegetation with the ever increasing population, industrial farming techniques and climate change, I"m skeptical. 

I've also ordered "Earthmasters" by Clive Hamilton for my library - another book to read and be horrified by - Geo-engineering!

Yes, I have now caught up with restocking and cleaning the house - the "boys" didn't do too badly considering!