Well it's officially the last day of summer here in Australia, and I'm wearing a jumper! If it only reaches the forecast maximum temperature today (20'C/ 68'F), it will be the coldest February day on record for the area. How bizarre is that? The contrast between El Nino and La Nina years couldn't be more stark.
According to the official data kept for my nearest meteorological station (Newcastle University), there were just 6 days where the temperature reached over 30'C (86'F) - none of which were in February, traditionally the hottest month of the year - and the highest temperature recorded was only 34'C (93'F). Considering it is not at all unusual to get temperatures up to 40'C (104'F), and that we would normally have 5 or 6 days in a row with temps over 35'C (95'F) during summer, it has been the oddest summer that I can ever remember!
It's been raining again too, and yesterday parts of my city were subject to flash flooding from stormwater. We had 46mm (1.8 inches) at my place, which was a lot less than many areas received luckily. Overall this month we've had 214mm and a total of 371mm of rain so far this year; my parents in central NSW normally receive about 450mm of rain over the whole year!
In contrast, I received a letter from a girlfriend in Adelaide this morning, and she's nearly run her 13000 litres (3400 gal) of water storage dry, just watering the fruit and vegetable garden over summer because it's been so dry and hot down there. This month alone they've had 9 days over 30'C with a top of 38.1'C (100'F) and four days in a row over 37'C, with only 2.6mm of rain (i.e. effectively nothing). Poor sods.
It scares me to think that this might become our regular weather patterns in the next decade or so as climate change really starts to bite...
Anyway, in other news, I started a new ginger beer plant three days ago (after my old one was accidentally discarded!). When I went to feed it this morning it had a frothy "head" on it about an inch thick and the bottom was emitting such big bloopy bubbles that it almost resembled a lava lamp, LOL. I had been watching it for a while (I'm easily entertained) when I realised that I hadn't added any yeast to the plant when I made it up! Wow, those wild yeasts must be partying in my kitchen at the moment - I don't know whether to be happy or disturbed by that?!
On the strength of that performance, I should probably have a go at making up a sourdough bread starter? Does anyone have any recommendations for a starter "recipe"? I gather it's pretty much just 1 cup water and 1 cup plain flour? Any tips on what to keep it in?
According to the official data kept for my nearest meteorological station (Newcastle University), there were just 6 days where the temperature reached over 30'C (86'F) - none of which were in February, traditionally the hottest month of the year - and the highest temperature recorded was only 34'C (93'F). Considering it is not at all unusual to get temperatures up to 40'C (104'F), and that we would normally have 5 or 6 days in a row with temps over 35'C (95'F) during summer, it has been the oddest summer that I can ever remember!
It's been raining again too, and yesterday parts of my city were subject to flash flooding from stormwater. We had 46mm (1.8 inches) at my place, which was a lot less than many areas received luckily. Overall this month we've had 214mm and a total of 371mm of rain so far this year; my parents in central NSW normally receive about 450mm of rain over the whole year!
In contrast, I received a letter from a girlfriend in Adelaide this morning, and she's nearly run her 13000 litres (3400 gal) of water storage dry, just watering the fruit and vegetable garden over summer because it's been so dry and hot down there. This month alone they've had 9 days over 30'C with a top of 38.1'C (100'F) and four days in a row over 37'C, with only 2.6mm of rain (i.e. effectively nothing). Poor sods.
It scares me to think that this might become our regular weather patterns in the next decade or so as climate change really starts to bite...
Anyway, in other news, I started a new ginger beer plant three days ago (after my old one was accidentally discarded!). When I went to feed it this morning it had a frothy "head" on it about an inch thick and the bottom was emitting such big bloopy bubbles that it almost resembled a lava lamp, LOL. I had been watching it for a while (I'm easily entertained) when I realised that I hadn't added any yeast to the plant when I made it up! Wow, those wild yeasts must be partying in my kitchen at the moment - I don't know whether to be happy or disturbed by that?!
On the strength of that performance, I should probably have a go at making up a sourdough bread starter? Does anyone have any recommendations for a starter "recipe"? I gather it's pretty much just 1 cup water and 1 cup plain flour? Any tips on what to keep it in?
Edited to add: After checking in at Belinda's blog and following the link to her favourite sourdough site (thanks Belinda!), I got a starter going using this recipe. Wish me luck!
My ginger beer plant this morning after I fed it and stirred it up.
4 comments:
I was tempted by Belinda's sourdough lessons too. Maybe on the weekend...
Also, gosh it's dry here. It rained yesterday, but it's been really really dry. I watered in my new chives with the water from boiling eggs for last night's dinner. However, it's amazing how well our veggies have grown with no fresh tap water over the summer. We've been bucketing all the water out of the shower, and saving water while we're waiting for hot water to come through. It's amazing how much is wasted.
Oh, two things I love. Sough dough. And home baked bread from scratch!
Hi Crazy Mumma,
Good luck with your new starter.
Finding the nice strong yeasties that produce lots of gas can take a couple of attempts but on occasion they all decide to party for you first time round.
Kind Regards
Belinda
I linked to you from the blogging with a purpose award you received.
Susan
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