In might be cold enough for boots and scarves and even winter hats south of here, but in the subtropics in Queensland it is still resolutely NOT WINTER. I had high hopes this morning when I woke up to a grey and drizzly day but still I’m in summer pjs, deciding what to wear today so that I don’t get too hot. We never get a proper winter really. Perhaps a week or two or three when the maximum temperature gets down to low 20s/high teens and single figures overnight. But that’s it.

Apparently, there are some people who hate winter and love the Queensland summer. Quite frankly, I don’t understand these people. Clearly, they’ve never spent a disgusting three days in Rockhampton in late December melting in the heat. Or perhaps they’ve never enjoyed the delights of sweating while sitting perfectly still in their own homes on a *glorious* summer’s day in late February. Sure, there are a few things to love about summer like watermelon, sitting in the air-conditioning watching the Australian Open on the telly and… I can’t think of any others. I’ve heard that some people love going to the beach in summer. For the life of me I can’t understand why. The sand burns your feet. The salt water makes your skin itchy. The sun gives you skin cancer. And it’s hot. The beach is far nicer in winter. For walking along…with shoes…and a cardigan…in a cool breeze and gentle, non-life threatening sunlight.

But winter, real winter, as I have experienced in other places much further north and south of here is excellent. Drinking hot drinks of all kinds without breaking into mess of perspiration. Walking outside in the middle of the day without breaking into a mess of perspiration. Wearing excellent boots, socks, cardigans, jumpers, scarves, jackets, winter hats and gloves without breaking into a mess of perspiration. Eating big hearty meals and then actually wanting to go into the great outdoors full of vitality and energy without breaking into a mess of perspiration. Coming home to a lovely cosy house and sitting in front of the fire or other heating instrument, drinking tea or wine or another beverage without breaking into a mess of perspiration.

Basically, doing anything without breaking into a mess of perspiration sounds good to me.

To be fair, we have had a month or so of what I believe in other parts of Australia is autumn. Apparently, autumn is associated with stunning autumn colours and other such delights. Here it just means you can wear clothes with sleeves without wanting to die of heat in the middle of the day. So having skipped autumn, and with no sign of winter, perhaps I should get ready for the few weeks of spring we experience in September (or sometimes late August) and brace myself for another long, hot summer.