I was at a party in those parts only a week ago ( 25 min walk down the hill off Kissing Point Rd) and marvelled at the bushiness of it all; a nightmare if there were a fire.
I have an idea that what was the Mackerras house was in those parts as well.
In Canberra now in the 4 th consecutive day where max temp has reached at least 37 degC. Worst for us, our evaporative cooler packed up in the first such day, so we have spent much of the time in the local licensed club or in the National Library, both of which have been air-conditioned. Nights do naturally cool in Sydney, but even here the minimum of the third night has been about 25 deg.
And of course, today there is a strong westerly wind from the places further inland, which is even hotter. WE're keeping an eye out for bushfires in this region. The fires are already widespead in Victoria.
No cool nights here, alas. It’s been anywhere between 22-26 last few days. It’s hit 38 here in inner Sinny despite a bit of a breeze and 42 out west. It’s even scorching in the Blue Mountains.
Put some wet washing on upstairs verandah a few hours back & 2 large towels now bone dry: lighter stuff dry in 30 mins.
Have not stepped out except to water plants: bet all the airconditioned places are chockers.
Hoping for cool change much later today and some rain tomorrow.
I am sure we'd all be happy for some water down south FD! Cheery husband and I were commenting this morning that we are amazed that we still actually have some green grass in our area, though I have definitely noticed parts of the lawn browning off the last couple of days. I am not complaining though with fires in Vic and too much water in Qld, it's not a problem to worry about!
Sorry to hear about your aircon @Tukai, I am sure aircon people are working very hard and getting many call outs at present. We've been working our own pretty hard and I had been wondering how hard we can push it. If we can give it a rest tomorrow, it will probably be a good thing.
Lots of Summernats traffic on the road this morning as Cheery husband and I went out for our usual Saturday outing.
Wildfires burning all over the place in the Cape and Overberg, and water restrictions in place so lawns look like dust bowls. We're hoping for early winter rains this year. Orchards looking good though, an abundance of ripe peaches and plums, with trays of Cape Brown and White Genoa figs appearing on roadside stalls so I am planning to make a Croatian dish with a fig and walnut sauce. If I can find the recipe I used two years ago.
Cooler here today with rain this afternoon. Felt virtuous early this morning after grocery shop then tripped on kerb ( thanks Birkenstocks) bruised knees, scraped elbow and scraped thumb. A bit stiff & sore but could have been worse. # 2 daughter subjected me to a lecture about steps ( not involved) but at least found the last of the ibuprofen & dosed me. Oh the embarrassment of it all!
Ouch, @Sojourner! These mishaps aren't helped by bruising more easily with age. I bumped my hip against the corner of a kitchen drawer the other evening (reason: tonic and a teeny tot of GIN) and now the hip is black & looks as if I've been kicked by a mule.
You aren’t wrong,MO. Can’t even blame the demon grog at that early hour. The nuns of my adolescence would have said serves you right for missing Mass. not much to choose between them and atheist daughter😂
I tripped on the curb of King William St and Rundle Mall in Adelaide a few years ago, also Birkenstocks involved. Odd, because I wear them most of the time. I suspect I wasn’t lifting my feet up enough. Wasn’t hurt, thanks to learning a stage fall in my youth, but some kind people asked if I needed help. Commiserations to Sojourner.
The cool change has arrived in the bush capital, much more pleasant today.
Glad to hear you are on the mend @Sojourner. Glad to hear the cooler weather has meant you've been able to keep up your walking @Gee D.
I too have been glad of the cooler weather @Sicut Cervus. I was looking at our grass the other day and I can't believe it needs cutting again! I might push it out a few more days though before getting Cheery son onto the job. I loved the heavy drop of rain we had, but of course now the weeds are going mad again!! Grr.
Cheery daughter is off to the capital built on lots of gold money for a few days. She's seeing a musical going to the Bot Gardens and other touristy things. I am sure she will have a good time. Now that Cheery husband it back at work Cheery son and I will return to our regular routine. I'm trying to encourage him to read more this year, we'll see how long that lasts!
This afternoon a friend is coming for coffee and I'm looking forward to catching up on their news of family and Christmas time. Taking down a few more Christmas decs before she gets here. I honestly thought I was finished, but keep seeing small ones that I've overlooked.
I finally got Cheery son onto the mowing yesterday and we are enjoying a couple of days of cooler weather. I was very relieved that predicted large hailstones did not come our way, this week, but saw a poor olive farmer on the news last night who had received a bit of damage about 45 mins drive away from us. I felt so bad for him.
I was also shocked to see the flash flooding around the Great Ocean Road and am hoping that the authorities will be able to get the clean up done without too many "watcher" and others who like to mess around in dangerous conditions.
So grateful for the RFS and the SES and all others who come out to volunteer in times of crisis.
Heavy rain predicted for today but no sign of it so far thank God. Amiable spouse fortunately in go slow mode so he isn’t leaving a trail of mess behind him wherever he goes.
#2 daughter still visiting from UK and for last 5 days “working from home” between 8 pm and 3 am AEST. So she was out like a light until just now. She is off to a wedding later and probably will not get in till the wee hours. Good luck to her.
Up early & on bus to next suburb to feed son’s cat then back to put out wash, empty dishwasher ( big dinner last night with spouse, both daughters and #1 daughter’s lovely other half), then ( finally) a coffee.
Off to matinee @ Opera House ( Madam Butterfly God help me).
Hi Everyone. My computer had a tantrum. I thought it was dead but when my neighbour came over to sort out the tablets, which both have some kind of problem, she resurrected it. (I have very helpful neighbours).
D's death hit me much harder than any others because he was a younger than me and I stupidly expected him to outlive me. We were in touch a few times a week and he helped with a lot of the practical stuff as I don't drive and am unsafe climbing higher than a couple of steps.
Then a few weeks after his Celebration of life I went into hospital for a planned hysterectomy. (I think it's more than a co-incidence that the sound of the word "wrecked" is contained in that term.)
I think I'm almost recovered from that, but every now and again I get a sharp pain that tells me I've overdone it. As I heal and remember to take things more gently I feel than pain less frequently.
So glad to see you again, @Huia. Go carefully because IME a hysterectomy is exhausting and it can take a long time to get back energy and ease of movement. So sorry about D.
Ferocious heat continuing in my corner of the world and last night MOSQUITOS.
So glad to see you back @Huia and I'm glad to hear you are recovering, even if it is a slow process. Did you neighbours take care of Aroha for you? They sound very nice and it must have been a relief to have your computer back!!
Ferocious heat seems to be the order of the day @MaryLouise as we will be in the high 30s by the weekend. Hopefully no mosquitos!
Very cloudy today which has kept the temperature down, though I have been feeling quite hot as I've decided to wash down the walls in our family room in the hope we can paint them, maybe at Easter. I am really having an aerobic workout moving furniture as well as moving the steps and going up and down to do the actual washing. I am very unfit!!! I have decided will give the wall washing a break after tomorrow as area near the TV is involved as well as cabinets. I think tomorrow I can get away with just doing above the roller blinds and behind the cat tower, which won't take too long.
Under our sink (after some plumbing business that husband attended to) I discovered some magic white sponges and I've been using those to see what kind of grot I can deal with around the place and have been very pleased with my efforts. That was a very happy discovery!!
Just in from watering potplants and flicking a bit of water over the lawn, which is lovely and green around the edges, but looking very dead in the middle. I suspect it's wintergrass weedy stuff which has died, so good riddance to that!
@Huia I very rarely post, but read the Ship almost every day. I've missed your posts and am very glad to welcome you back. I had a hysterectomy many years ago and recovery does take time - be gentle with yourself. The death of good friends us indeed hard to bear.
I have stupidly overdone it, but now I have some books I'm going to take it easier. I've spoken to the young woman who mows my lawns and she's coming in on Monday to move stuff from around the 2 defunct heat pumps so that I can have a new one installed, which will be heavily subsidised due to the suburb I live in and being a superannuitant. I am looking forward to being warmer this coming winter.
Another infrequent lurker/poster who’s glad to see that you’re around, @Huia, but it would have been even more happy-making to know that you are well post-op, and that you weren’t grieving a loved friend.
And another infrequent poster who is glad to see you back.
Dull and overcast here, despite the forecast for a mostly sunny day. We're doing nothing special today, just our usual walks and coffees. AFAIK no ceremony in the local park either.
We went with others from the parish for our annual Australia Day picnic on the shores of our biggest saltwater lake. Sunny and breezy when we left home, cloudy and blowing a gale when we got to the usual park. Quick consumption of lunch, pack up, return home. Better luck next year.
I hope you are enjoying your books @Huia and that they are helping to pass the time pleasantly. I think one thing that's difficult when told not to overdo things, is that you don't actually know you've done too much, until you've done it! I hope you are getting over the having done too much without too many problems.
Sorry to hear your picnic was spoilt by the wind @Barnabas_Aus, better luck next year, indeed.
We've not done anything particular to mark today, it's been the second of our heatwave days, so we are staying inside and doing not very much. I started a new book today, so I think I'll be right to ride out the rest of the heatwave, that will keep me occupied.
Cheery daughter had to work today, so she'll have a day up her sleeve that she can take as a leave day some time later in the year.
Cheery husband and Cheery son have been working on some 3-D printing projects, so that is keeping them pretty much amused and busy.
I'll be out after dinner watering the garden to give it a fair chance as the days get hotter.
@Cheery Gardener That point about not knowing until I'd done too much is so right - and so annoying. I'm getting better about calibrating, also I'm going to see a physiotherapist for some guidelines. I think the fact that my friends death is still recent, but gradually becoming less painful is a factor too, that and the operation feel entwined.
I'm going back to my voluntary job at the Community Library on February 13, but this time I will be working with a partner which will make it easier when tricky people come in.
Thinking of you @Huia, sometimes these things are just so hard to gauge and no one explains fully how to work that out. So frustrating! I hope you feel more yourself soon.
I'm glad to hear you can soon be back at your Library job, returning to normal activities is really helpful for recovery I think. And having someone to work with is always fun!
So glad to be feeling a much cooler day today. A little more human than I like, but cool and a bit humid is better than hot and humid in my book. With the extreme heat of the last few days I've just been lounging, drinking cold water and living in a cave. Good to be able to raise the blinds today!
However, I have enjoyed just being quiet and listening to podcasts. I discovered the Rosebud podcast with Gyles Brandreth nad have enjoyed it very much. I listened to him interviewing Samuel West (actor) about his family and life experiences and it was so interesting. I'll be recommending it to my sister when we speak this afternoon.
Tomorrow I'll be chatting to aged Aunt who will be visiting in a fortnight's time. I'm so looking forward to seeing her, in some ways dreading to see her with her walker and moving into the frail aged category. But she has her marbles and is still pretty quick, so I'm looking forward to some fun with her.
Wednesday is coffee with a friend and hopefully tomorrow I'll catch up with a friend whose son was married yesterday. Good to catch up with those special people.
Having a partner when working at the library is essential for safety now I think. Someone raced in and grabbed the cashbox which was in a drawer whilst a volunteer was rearranging shelving. I came in just after we had been robbed and she was quite shaken.
We have a Committee meeting tomorrow morning. No doubt safety will be on the agenda.
Gee D I thought the physio would be more helpful as she has longer appointments than the G.P and includes a wonderful relaxing massage. I always feel like I'm floating when I leave.
January has been a hot month in Canberra - though not as hot as Alice Springs! As I told earlier, We felt it especially in the week of early January, as our roof-top cooler conked out at the worst possible times. But this last week had at least 3 days reaching 40C, and with the other days "only" ~38C, but fortunately after repairs the rooftop cooler worked OK.
The last previous time, to be anything like that hot, a few years there were bushfires which entered to some of the outer suburbs. This year, no serious bushfires in this region, though much worse in northern Victoria.
Personally I remember a similar time about 12 years or so ago, when we travelled from Fiji to Perth for Christmas. The Marama especially wanted to go that time, as she had never previously been in Perth, and our daughter and husband were living there for a year or so. Like often in Perth summers, it reached 40C, and their rooftop cooler failed at the worst possible time. Then on our way home, we stopped for a day in Adelaide, when on that day it was at least up to 45C even in the nearby hills, where we took a tour visit to one 'historic' village there. But to walk between one AC building and another was like being in an oven!
I totally agree about the safety issue @Huia, one of my scariest moments at work was having locked the library, I was at the front counter, sorting out the float and locking the cash in the safe. I looked up and one of our regular and peculiar patrons was watching me through the window. Bler! I think that Cheery boyfriend actually came in from the car when I didn't appear at the normal time. I remained in the building and got him to check the men's loos, while I checked the women's to make sure Mr Interesting had left the building. When we relocated to a newer and much larger building, staff insisted that we had to have two people manning the building. One was just insufficient and too risky.
I'm glad to hear @Tukai that you were able to get your cooler repaired, I was cringing at the thought that you might need a full replacement!! Our cooler turns 20 this year and we are are thinking we won't get too many more summers from it (bler).
When chatting with the cashier at our local supermarket I was pondering a childhood spent with summer days of 40+ and how we would walk to the library or to the pool, or to visit friends and it was just how summer was. I think I have gone soft as I've gotten older!!
I had a lovely coffee yesterday with a former classmate and her sister who were in town for business. Just so much fun to sit under a tree and laugh with friends. I hope we can do it again soon.
Only one more week until Aged Aunt's visit, I am looking forward to spending time with her!
It's been a busy time since before Christmas, so I haven't got to SoF for a while.
My sister's husband had not been well since Christmas and died a week ago, so we are in England for three weeks to give her support.
She has been staying with DIL and daughter since then and has given us her house key to be at her house today when the palliative care people come to remove their special bed and other loaned equipment.
We are staying in a BnB for this first week, but will move to her home next Monday, by which time we hope she can face returning to her home.
We had been preparing to sell our own house in the NSW northern rivers and find a place in Brisbane where there is public transport and access to facilities i.e. hospitals etc. so that is on hold at the moment.
I am writing this in from our BnB where it it is still dark, as I have still not become normalised to the UK time zone.
Our lastborn was back in Oz for a few weeks in January and is now back in chilly damp Blighty. She found acclimatising to summer in Sydney hard after 11 years in the UK.
@Latchkeykid, sorry to hear about your brother-in-law. I'm also sorry that the British weather (at least in my bit of it) is being particularly horrible at the moment.
I'm sorry to read about your brother in law @LatchKeyKid, I hope your sister will be able to manage returning home, I imagine it will be quite hard especially initially.
I hope when you return home that your plans to relocate will go smoothly. My Aged Aunt did something similar when my children were small. She moved to acreage but moved into a retirement resort after the death of her husband. The plan was for them to be there together, but sadly that did not work out as they had hoped.
A lovely, lovely drop of rain overnight. Everything has been as dry as a chip here and not at all pleasant with quite high temperatures over the last couple of weeks. I am sure that I saw that some areas of the country are due for flooding, as more rain is expected this week.
Aged Aunt arrives at the end of the week for her annual holiday and catch ups with family. I am hoping that goes well and that she enjoys time with her friends. I am a bit worried that she has not factored in any downtime for herself, but she'll just have to manage things as best she can and perhaps have some afternoon rests once back at her hotel.
One happy thing from the last couple of weeks had been Cheery daughter introducing her brother to a favourite TV program from her teens. So lovely hear them sitting together, laughing and chatting. He is returning the compliment by watching (UK) Ghosts with her. We've had many interesting family discussions over the last fortnight!
Comments
I have an idea that what was the Mackerras house was in those parts as well.
And of course, today there is a strong westerly wind from the places further inland, which is even hotter. WE're keeping an eye out for bushfires in this region. The fires are already widespead in Victoria.
Put some wet washing on upstairs verandah a few hours back & 2 large towels now bone dry: lighter stuff dry in 30 mins.
Have not stepped out except to water plants: bet all the airconditioned places are chockers.
Hoping for cool change much later today and some rain tomorrow.
Sorry to hear about your aircon @Tukai, I am sure aircon people are working very hard and getting many call outs at present. We've been working our own pretty hard and I had been wondering how hard we can push it. If we can give it a rest tomorrow, it will probably be a good thing.
Lots of Summernats traffic on the road this morning as Cheery husband and I went out for our usual Saturday outing.
The cool change has arrived in the bush capital, much more pleasant today.
Weather much cooler and light rain also in inner Sydney.
Taking it slow.
I too have been glad of the cooler weather @Sicut Cervus. I was looking at our grass the other day and I can't believe it needs cutting again! I might push it out a few more days though before getting Cheery son onto the job. I loved the heavy drop of rain we had, but of course now the weeds are going mad again!! Grr.
Cheery daughter is off to the capital built on lots of gold money for a few days. She's seeing a musical going to the Bot Gardens and other touristy things. I am sure she will have a good time. Now that Cheery husband it back at work Cheery son and I will return to our regular routine. I'm trying to encourage him to read more this year, we'll see how long that lasts!
This afternoon a friend is coming for coffee and I'm looking forward to catching up on their news of family and Christmas time. Taking down a few more Christmas decs before she gets here. I honestly thought I was finished, but keep seeing small ones that I've overlooked.
I was also shocked to see the flash flooding around the Great Ocean Road and am hoping that the authorities will be able to get the clean up done without too many "watcher" and others who like to mess around in dangerous conditions.
So grateful for the RFS and the SES and all others who come out to volunteer in times of crisis.
How are things in other parts of Oz?
#2 daughter still visiting from UK and for last 5 days “working from home” between 8 pm and 3 am AEST. So she was out like a light until just now. She is off to a wedding later and probably will not get in till the wee hours. Good luck to her.
Up early & on bus to next suburb to feed son’s cat then back to put out wash, empty dishwasher ( big dinner last night with spouse, both daughters and #1 daughter’s lovely other half), then ( finally) a coffee.
Off to matinee @ Opera House ( Madam Butterfly God help me).
D's death hit me much harder than any others because he was a younger than me and I stupidly expected him to outlive me. We were in touch a few times a week and he helped with a lot of the practical stuff as I don't drive and am unsafe climbing higher than a couple of steps.
Then a few weeks after his Celebration of life I went into hospital for a planned hysterectomy. (I think it's more than a co-incidence that the sound of the word "wrecked" is contained in that term.)
I think I'm almost recovered from that, but every now and again I get a sharp pain that tells me I've overdone it. As I heal and remember to take things more gently I feel than pain less frequently.
I hope your healing continues to go well. That is definitely not a fun recovery.
Ferocious heat continuing in my corner of the world and last night MOSQUITOS.
Ferocious heat seems to be the order of the day @MaryLouise as we will be in the high 30s by the weekend. Hopefully no mosquitos!
Very cloudy today which has kept the temperature down, though I have been feeling quite hot as I've decided to wash down the walls in our family room in the hope we can paint them, maybe at Easter. I am really having an aerobic workout moving furniture as well as moving the steps and going up and down to do the actual washing. I am very unfit!!! I have decided will give the wall washing a break after tomorrow as area near the TV is involved as well as cabinets. I think tomorrow I can get away with just doing above the roller blinds and behind the cat tower, which won't take too long.
Under our sink (after some plumbing business that husband attended to) I discovered some magic white sponges and I've been using those to see what kind of grot I can deal with around the place and have been very pleased with my efforts. That was a very happy discovery!!
Just in from watering potplants and flicking a bit of water over the lawn, which is lovely and green around the edges, but looking very dead in the middle. I suspect it's wintergrass weedy stuff which has died, so good riddance to that!
Here's to healing and comfort for you
I have stupidly overdone it, but now I have some books I'm going to take it easier. I've spoken to the young woman who mows my lawns and she's coming in on Monday to move stuff from around the 2 defunct heat pumps so that I can have a new one installed, which will be heavily subsidised due to the suburb I live in and being a superannuitant. I am looking forward to being warmer this coming winter.
I would probably be more fit now I had taken it easy post-op, but I felt really good initially and over did things.
I have learned my lesson.
Dull and overcast here, despite the forecast for a mostly sunny day. We're doing nothing special today, just our usual walks and coffees. AFAIK no ceremony in the local park either.
Sorry to hear your picnic was spoilt by the wind @Barnabas_Aus, better luck next year, indeed.
We've not done anything particular to mark today, it's been the second of our heatwave days, so we are staying inside and doing not very much. I started a new book today, so I think I'll be right to ride out the rest of the heatwave, that will keep me occupied.
Cheery daughter had to work today, so she'll have a day up her sleeve that she can take as a leave day some time later in the year.
Cheery husband and Cheery son have been working on some 3-D printing projects, so that is keeping them pretty much amused and busy.
I'll be out after dinner watering the garden to give it a fair chance as the days get hotter.
I'm going back to my voluntary job at the Community Library on February 13, but this time I will be working with a partner which will make it easier when tricky people come in.
I'm glad to hear you can soon be back at your Library job, returning to normal activities is really helpful for recovery I think. And having someone to work with is always fun!
So glad to be feeling a much cooler day today. A little more human than I like, but cool and a bit humid is better than hot and humid in my book. With the extreme heat of the last few days I've just been lounging, drinking cold water and living in a cave. Good to be able to raise the blinds today!
However, I have enjoyed just being quiet and listening to podcasts. I discovered the Rosebud podcast with Gyles Brandreth nad have enjoyed it very much. I listened to him interviewing Samuel West (actor) about his family and life experiences and it was so interesting. I'll be recommending it to my sister when we speak this afternoon.
Tomorrow I'll be chatting to aged Aunt who will be visiting in a fortnight's time. I'm so looking forward to seeing her, in some ways dreading to see her with her walker and moving into the frail aged category. But she has her marbles and is still pretty quick, so I'm looking forward to some fun with her.
Wednesday is coffee with a friend and hopefully tomorrow I'll catch up with a friend whose son was married yesterday. Good to catch up with those special people.
A real summer afternoon storm here, the first in ages. We've closed up and put light jumpers on.
We have a Committee meeting tomorrow morning. No doubt safety will be on the agenda.
Gee D I thought the physio would be more helpful as she has longer appointments than the G.P and includes a wonderful relaxing massage. I always feel like I'm floating when I leave.
The last previous time, to be anything like that hot, a few years there were bushfires which entered to some of the outer suburbs. This year, no serious bushfires in this region, though much worse in northern Victoria.
Personally I remember a similar time about 12 years or so ago, when we travelled from Fiji to Perth for Christmas. The Marama especially wanted to go that time, as she had never previously been in Perth, and our daughter and husband were living there for a year or so. Like often in Perth summers, it reached 40C, and their rooftop cooler failed at the worst possible time. Then on our way home, we stopped for a day in Adelaide, when on that day it was at least up to 45C even in the nearby hills, where we took a tour visit to one 'historic' village there. But to walk between one AC building and another was like being in an oven!
I'm glad to hear @Tukai that you were able to get your cooler repaired, I was cringing at the thought that you might need a full replacement!! Our cooler turns 20 this year and we are are thinking we won't get too many more summers from it (bler).
When chatting with the cashier at our local supermarket I was pondering a childhood spent with summer days of 40+ and how we would walk to the library or to the pool, or to visit friends and it was just how summer was. I think I have gone soft as I've gotten older!!
I had a lovely coffee yesterday with a former classmate and her sister who were in town for business. Just so much fun to sit under a tree and laugh with friends. I hope we can do it again soon.
Only one more week until Aged Aunt's visit, I am looking forward to spending time with her!
My sister's husband had not been well since Christmas and died a week ago, so we are in England for three weeks to give her support.
She has been staying with DIL and daughter since then and has given us her house key to be at her house today when the palliative care people come to remove their special bed and other loaned equipment.
We are staying in a BnB for this first week, but will move to her home next Monday, by which time we hope she can face returning to her home.
We had been preparing to sell our own house in the NSW northern rivers and find a place in Brisbane where there is public transport and access to facilities i.e. hospitals etc. so that is on hold at the moment.
I am writing this in from our BnB where it it is still dark, as I have still not become normalised to the UK time zone.
Our lastborn was back in Oz for a few weeks in January and is now back in chilly damp Blighty. She found acclimatising to summer in Sydney hard after 11 years in the UK.
I hope when you return home that your plans to relocate will go smoothly. My Aged Aunt did something similar when my children were small. She moved to acreage but moved into a retirement resort after the death of her husband. The plan was for them to be there together, but sadly that did not work out as they had hoped.
A lovely, lovely drop of rain overnight. Everything has been as dry as a chip here and not at all pleasant with quite high temperatures over the last couple of weeks. I am sure that I saw that some areas of the country are due for flooding, as more rain is expected this week.
Aged Aunt arrives at the end of the week for her annual holiday and catch ups with family. I am hoping that goes well and that she enjoys time with her friends. I am a bit worried that she has not factored in any downtime for herself, but she'll just have to manage things as best she can and perhaps have some afternoon rests once back at her hotel.
One happy thing from the last couple of weeks had been Cheery daughter introducing her brother to a favourite TV program from her teens. So lovely hear them sitting together, laughing and chatting. He is returning the compliment by watching (UK) Ghosts with her. We've had many interesting family discussions over the last fortnight!