Looking out over my balcony the snow that fell Thursday has turned into a block of ice. Cars that were not moved have been frozen in place, the neighbours resorting to salt to get their vehicles out. With any luck they can open their doors. Most have icicles hanging all around. It was cold yesterday that when I opened my door to step out on my balcony I didn’t even bother to complete the task — I promptly shut the door and sat by the fireplace and drank another coffee. Sometimes it’s not even worth trying…
That considered, I do have hope for a life in a place with better weather. I have received job leads for permanent positions in New South Wales. Should I receive a formal offer upon completion of my MA programme I will be on the next flight to Sydney.
Boadicea's Chariot 
You have my sympathy over the shift to new climatic zones. It can be both a dreadful shock to both body and soul. I suffered dreadfully in the heat moving years ago to Memphis from the UK and more recently from Wales to Dallas. I found the summer heat in both absolutely prostrating to the point of being unable to do anything except lay down every afternoon! Fortunately I didn’t have to work for a living. That is why we moved up here, nice and wet and equable just like the UK.
My detestation of heat is one of the reasons I don’t go on holiday. I hate them like prussic acid! They say that your body finally adapts to climatic change but mine didn’t in 6 years in Memphis.
Can’t say I think you would like NSW beyond the climate. Doesn’t strike me as your type of people at all.
But one has to go where one can make a living. Maybe you will get some more offers during your time up there.
http://robdyoung.com/punishment-seamus-heaney-full-text-analysis/
CO: it was so cold here today that within 2 minutes of my stepping outside to wait for the bus my hair was frozen. No, this is not a joke or exaggeration. My hair was turned into a solid mass of ice.
I have spoken to Minnesota-natives who told me that the idea that one grows used to this weather is rubbish. Even though they were born and raised here they still cannot bear the winter weather and lock themselves inside whenever possible.
As you say, one must go where there is a living to be made. Life in Germany is surreal and it isn’t much better elsewhere on the continent. The US, second rate at its best, is now a sick joke and parody of itself.
That, and I like Australians in general.
Hello Christopher. I am currently in Harare, which I firmly believe has the best climate in the world. One blanket in summer, two in winter. No central heating or air conditioning required.
Christopher, I am mot by nature an envious, person, but being a young chap with job offers in Australia (albeit NSW) puts you right in my green-eyed sights. All I can say with all my heart and experience is,go for it, you lucky barsteward. Australia is a great country and you will love it.
All the best.
OZ
Ozinho: when the leads came in I thought of your advice from early this year and agreed readily.
True, it is NSW but that’s where my contacts are and where my strongest connexion is.
That doesn’t mean I’ve stopped plotting to sneak my way into the cave and steal bits of wild boar and sips of vinho from you, though.
Sipu: somehow I do not get the sense that my economic future would be well served in Harare. Pity, Zimbabwe had great potential.
D’na know what? I would be honoured to fill you full of boar and vinho on your exodus to Australia. Ferret and Beloved enjoyed The Cave experience as far as I know.
OZ
Good luck with the job offers, Christopher. At the risk of upsetting my wolf cousin, I have to say that I hope you won’t be needing the fur coat for much longer.
Chris, I hate to be Mamaesque but what the hell are you doing going outside in Minnesota without adequate clothes?
No hat?
I appreciate that coming from SF you probably do not own the relevant pieces of required clothing but you really must get some hats, scarves, gloves and thermal underwear. The bloody winter hasn’t even STARTED yet!!!
Have you ever been out in 40 below? If you are cold now already common sense tells you that you have insufficient and inappropriate clothing for the climate. At this rate you’ll never get further than the local bone yard let alone NSW!
Go buy yourself some proper clothes. Make sure they are heavy duty thermals. Never go without a hat in the cold, too much body heat is lost through the head.
I once came across -40 in a cold snap in Maine. Literally impossible to breathe and I was kitted out in huge fur coat and hat plus thermals. Couldn’t take it for more than 5 minutes or so, spent a couple of weeks marooned indoors watching monstrous wild turkeys about 4′ high prancing around the garden, one hell of a sight especially when they open up their tail feathers.
Go shopping dear boy!
So there! Consider yourself told!
OZ
QZ well someone has to be the ‘boy substitute’ when in mama-esque mode!!!!!
He always gets it being the only one of us in the right age group. I expect he will survive! (just).
CO: not to worry, I have proper boots, jackets, gloves, and am awaiting a proper hat.
At the moment the weather is cold enough to be unpleasant but not quite cold enough to warrant
taking out the deep-winter clothing. Thermal undergarments are not quite required as I hardly
spend any time outdoors anyway. I go into a vehicle, into a building, and that’s it.
Buildings are kept warm and wearing too much warm clothing can become equally problematic
as one sweats profusely before going out again.
I lived in San Francisco for only two years. I’m familiar with snow country and severe weather.
Albeit I’ve avoided extremes of the Minnesota sort thus far. The past few winters have not been
especially extreme although this one promises to be harder than more recent ones. Fortunately
I will be gone for several weeks in warmer climes.
Yes, I have survived.
Good, you might try Damart on line the USA site.
They sell thermals of various differing thicknesses, take your point about indoors getting too hot.
Their grade 1-2 is about right for indoors, heated but winter. Up to 5 for skiing and shooting all day outside.
I have spent years maintaining to people that your body temperature kept on an even keel will do more for you to ward off colds and ailments, that, plus sound nutrition keeps up your immune system to munch up any little boogers that invade! Noticeably round here I get far fewer colds and coughs than most I know. Maybe its the intake of red wine though………..