Conversation over dinner

G. The wild winds last week reminded me of a piece I read in SMH titled “Three winds rule Sydney”.

B. Never saw it. What three did they list?

G. The Westerly, the Southerly and the Nor’easter.

B. Mmmm, “rule” is a strange word to use for winds. 

G. But when you think of it, they do. Take the Southerly. When that lovely breeze comes up after a scorching summer day, we all gratefully go out on our verandahs with a cool drink.

B. That’s true. And when the freezing winter Southerly arrives straight from the Antarctic, we all rush inside to turn up the electric blanket and plan a hotpot for dinner.

G. Same with the Westerly. I remember one searing hot Westerly that totally ruined everyone’s backyard Christmas lunch a few years ago.

B. And when a gusty Westerly comes up in spring, we are all out at the clothes line hanging our winter woollies and doonas to dry.

G. So those winds do actually rule our lives.

B. But hang on, what about the Nor’easter? It’s so reliable, I hardly notice it’s there.

G. We gardeners mightn’t, but I bet all the local sailors and surfers do.