If it's mid-January, it's time to head for Adelaide. A bit different this time without any offspring to accompany us, but be reassured, there is a bicycle in the luggage compartment.
Departed a rapidly warming Springwood, with the cat looking remorsefully after us as we left at about 8.40 am. We have surrendered her to the careful ministrations of the boys.
Lunched at Cowra, arrived Hay at 5.20pm. It is 44 degrees. Even the man at the hotel suggested we put the aircon on in the room ASAP. We obeyed.
We have travelled the Hay plain many times, usually returning from Adelaide. Without doubt today has been the hottest effort - the thermometer in the car peaked at 45. We were driving through puddles of what appeared to be melted bitumen, splashing as we passed. There were red dust willy willies gathering in the fields and then
madly careering across the road like insane ghosts to dissipate in the paddocks. We couldn't see any wind, but there was something happening to stir up these spectres.