Lightning v Lighting

One of the most spectacular displays happened as the sun fell over the horizon last night; the belly of the dense thunder clouds glowed a deep rich amber.  Lightning bolts so rapid, so close, so thick as they speared into the ground that there were moments when it seemed that we were imprisoned behind bars of lightning.

Suddenly a blast of wind hit us stripping every hat and cap from the hat rack on the pub veranda, plastic chairs on the veranda had the same fate.  The heavy, solid outdoor furniture slid across the artificial grass as though the surface was ice. Extraordinary but no damage, roofs remained intact.  As the lightning strikes started to fade and the wind dropped we all gave a sigh of relief; we still had power!

Our accommodation was booked, a total of eight people.  Meals were served, plates collected, the kitchen all cleaned, people sitting at the bar discussing the likely world apocalypse (something to do with elections in the US) which had just degenerated into even gloomier territory as Federal politics began to be discussed and on cue, the lights went out.

Now being the strategic planners we are we have a 30kva generator; but it needs a bit of rewiring; hasn’t been done – work in progress. Hot humid night, the bugs are back, blood addicted mosquitoes zeroing in on attack mode. Within minutes the cool interior of the pub is no longer; humidity and heat creep through as quickly as a cockroach avoiding the sole of a boot.

Torches with half flat batteries become the light; the dismal dim lighting attracting every insect, probably would have been more if the battery power had been up to scratch.

As you can imagine the night was not good for comfort – but (for public display) humour abounded and we survived the night.

It would seem that we are going to be without power for 24 hours.  The problem area has been located; five power poles down.  As I write five more power poles are being rushed to the site.

It’s these sort of moments that make one reflect on how our early pioneers survived this outback.  Unlike America where rail opened up their vastness bringing with it degrees of comfort and provisions, our pioneers settled where roads were non existent, supplies where days away, their camps/shanties were situated by waterholes. No medical help – DIY.  They did do it tough – really tough.

We really do have it easy these days – when we have electricity.