Blessing or Curse

In early June the wind arrives (Shamaal (sp)) It lasts as a colleagues of mine said, for forty days and nights. It has been whipping up around here for the last fortnight. It is a blessing in that it tosses up lots of sand and dust which filters the direct heat from the sun. We have had high 30s and low 40s temperatures which are very pleasant. Once the wind goes away we will get intense heat and humidity towards the end of July. The down sides of the shamaal are many. The car needs washing more regularly. Those who suffer asthma and allergies have it very hard.

The Socceroos are staying at the hotel where our gym and pool are as they have a match tonight against Qatar. The wind and heat will make this match difficult for them. We were supposed to go and play the sand course this afternoon but the wind will have blown all the sand off the browns. We’ll go to the gym and pool instead and watch the Wallabies play Ireland (having watched the All Blacks this morning). Yesterday the wind was so strong (the pool is on the top of the hotel) that drinks and other bits and pieces ended up being blown into the pool.