Dear All,
In today’s Age newspaper, “Fears of ‘worst shark season’ ever as seas heat up”, see
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/fears-of-worst-shark-season-as-sea-heats-up/2007/12/29/1198778767755.html
Back in the 1960s I can recall shark attacks being rather common in Melbourne’s Port Phillip Bay. Temperatures were lower then …
Cheers,
John McLean
The surf is up at the Gold Coast with an intense low pressure system hovering off shore. The large swells and high tides mean that the car park has been closed at the Currumbin Surf Club – but you can still get a drink at the bar.
The locals say the wild weather is reminiscent of the 1960s and 1970s.
Currumbin Surf Life Saving Club, Sunday morning, December 30, 2007
With the rising sea levels it has made a casual walk along the beach treacherous in places.
There are serious surfers braving the high seas. This morning we watched four being pulled out each with a jet ski.
Yesterday I had to climb Cabarita point – or risk being washed away – not.
Jen in sarong with pink hat at Cabarita, Gold Coast, Australia, December 29, 2007
Anyway, best wishes to everyone for a happy New Year.
The Cooper Valley has been dumped on with exceptional rainfall over the past few days. Since Boxing Day, over 700 mm has been recorded in our portion of the catchment.
Last night I was unable to collect three travellers that had booked onto the nocturnal tour because of flooding. Another two, one from Hamburg and the other from Switzerland were awe-struck by the deluge, but eventually I had to abandon the tour. Flooding, landslides and tree falls were commonplace throughout the area.
This is by far the most exciting time of the year for wildlife. A Giant Petilurid, Australia’s largest dragonfly, took refuge from the downfall, in our bathroom. The infrequently seen onychophorans or peripatus are at their most conspicuous. Tree frogs descend from their upper-story concealment in their thousands and produce such a cacophony that it is virtually impossible to be heard.
Jennifer Marohasy BSc PhD has worked in industry and government. She is currently researching a novel technique for long-range weather forecasting funded by the B. Macfie Family Foundation.
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