"Brrrr"ing on the Spring

OPENING up the Google website on June 21 told me, by it's topical graphics, that it was officially the first day of winter.

'Winter' and 'June' are two words I have never before put together. But here they are, hand in hand, down under on the other side of the globe.
Although I'll openly admit I feel a little envious that you guys over there are enjoying sweltering temperatures but for winter, this is one I'm not minding in the slightest.

Today in Melbourne, it's been a lowly 18C - not exactly cracking the flags but a winter temperature like that I can more than welcome, thank you very much.
When we left Manchester back in February it was -7C. We arrived in Australia in time for that weekend's fatal Black Saturday when thermometer-busting 45C temps were recorded all over the region.
Now, I'm not particularly good with my sums but you don't really have to sit down and do the math to realise how much of a difference that actually was.
From what I remember it was like having a hairdryer blow in your eyes for a week... not pleasant to the locals but to us it was a novelty and we soaked it up accordingly.

So yes, I am wearing a jacket to go to work in the mornings, and today I even had to button it up, but generally, come midday the sun puts its hat on and it can get to an average high of 16C. Not bikini weather by any stretch but short sleeves are an acceptable item of clothing, providing you're doing something and not sitting down still and inactive for too long.
I suppose I'm still wearing what I would be at this time over there, but just have to bear in mind I have to keep myself on the go to keep warm.

On the day I write this, I see that London was enjoying temperatures of 27C - comparable to our European cousins in Rome, Athens and Barcelona. In fact, you Brits have not been far behind Tel Aviv and Hong Kong who shined in at 30 and 31 respectively. So yes, I'm green as...

But my turn for sunshine will come and I look forward to Spring with one of my best British stiff upper lips.