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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To keep the kids off school due to the heat? I'm in Oz.

120 replies

user1477282676 · 08/02/2017 07:44

I'm British, this is all new to me. Other parents don't seem to keep theirs off....well not in our school! Some schools close when it gets over 38 but it was 41(105!) today and I swear to God I almost passed out walking home.

I don't drive...can't drive...so we walk to and from school. it's fine in the morning but 3.00pm is the hottest part of the day and it's a mile long walk on unshaded streets.

I felt a fool today. There was no traffic at all...nobody on foot...everyone drives in air condtiioned cars and there was no sign of anyone.

I've nobody to ask for a lift...my DH is working away till Friday or he would have finished work early.

I know I can't do that walk again. I couldn't breath and towards the end, a woman came out of her house and asked me if I had far to go and was I ok...SO kind of her.

DD was hot but not that bothered by it...she's tougher than me obviously! I did drink a lot and we had hats.

OP posts:
PetalMettle · 09/02/2017 04:10

Glad you've found a solution. I wondered if you were epileptic (i don't drive for the same reason) when all the asinine "jus learn how to drive" responses were coming in

TheMaddHugger · 09/02/2017 04:20

((((((((((Hugs))))))))))) OP. How are you coping today ? it's 43 cel where I am.

TheDowagerCuntess · 09/02/2017 04:22

user - I'm down your way, just across the ditch! So 'summer' here too, if you could describe it as that!

TheMaddHugger · 09/02/2017 04:22

The Claw. It's above 40's here in SA and its pretty suck the moisture outa ya much kinda day

Mistigri · 09/02/2017 05:03

I have no idea why people are being rude to me. Very strange.

It's mumsnet. And I think most people posting on here probably have no experience of 40+C heat.

I'm glad you found a solution. Tbh for a primary age child having a few days off a year is hardly a big deal - people in the UK are utterly paranoid about school absences (because of govt policies) in a way that is disproportionate to its potential impact on education. Don't know what Aus is like but would be surprised if it's as bad.

Hope the heatwave does not last too long!

TheMaddHugger · 09/02/2017 05:12

Mistigri . Where I am school absentees are pretty lax. No worried kinda thing.
Of course it could be different in other parts of Oz

cantfindausername2 · 09/02/2017 05:17

I hope your ok OP. It's going to be hot for the next few days if your on the east. We freeze bottles of water and take them out with us. The heat outside and in the car is enough to melt water to drink but it stays cold all day.

SuperBeagle · 09/02/2017 05:18

The humidity in some parts of Australia is awful. Sydney is a humid cesspool of sweat and pollution. Where I live now it gets hot, but it's a dry heat and it cools down substantially by 4pm.

You couldn't pay me to do a summer in some parts of Australia. A few weeks in QLD a few years back nearly killed me. Sweating while in air con is no joke, guys

TheMaddHugger · 09/02/2017 05:18

Mistigri -Hope the heatwave does not last too long!
Thanks Sweetie, its not the heatwave, but the power blackouts that get me swearing

You are correct people don't understand the heat here till they have experienced it

TheMaddHugger · 09/02/2017 05:23

SuperBeagle - you're right, the humidity is worse. no way to cool with Evaporative Aircoolers. and misting water on ourselves= useless

IAmNotAWitch · 09/02/2017 05:24

Lol the area I live in is called 'The Hills'.

Try running up Heartbreak Hill and tell me we Dont have any...

MidniteScribbler · 09/02/2017 05:42

Not to mention the Blue Mountains, the Glasshouse Mountains, the Great Dividing Range, Snowy Mountains, Flinders Ranges, and plenty of other names that might give you a clue that Australia is not some postage stamp with a big red pimple rock in the middle of it.

SuperBeagle · 09/02/2017 05:45

big red pimple rock Grin Grin Grin

PenelopeFlintstone · 09/02/2017 05:52

OP, it depends on how big your town is I guess, but is the bus driver local? Do you know him? Does the bus go anywhere near your place as it heads out? Because if it was anything like where I live, your kids might be allowed to hop on even though you're too close for free travel. Especially if the driver knew you couldn't drive and was going that way anyway.

accendo · 09/02/2017 05:59

Unless you live in one of the big cities you really need to learn how to drive. Australian public transport is terrible. The heat is terrible but the real killer is the humidity, it has to be experienced to be believed. My home town is predicted to hit 47c on Saturday.

accendo · 09/02/2017 06:05

I missed that you couldn't drive. Do you have a local facebook page? We are a friendly lot and if you ask on there if anyone would mind giving you a lift until the heat dies down, I'm sure someone will offer.

accendo · 09/02/2017 06:09

Also if your daughter has a medical condition like asthma she will be entitled to a free busspass no matter where you live. You need a doctors letter sent to the the dept of transport. She may even qualify for one based on your medical condition but I'm not 100% sure.

hmcAsWas · 09/02/2017 06:18

Ah, you see that's why I don't get why some people (not saying you Op - you probably had many well thought out reasons) move to Australia for 'the weather' and the 'outdoor lifestyle', when often it is too hot to go outside!

Glad you've managed to organise an air conditioned lift home for your dc, Op

skerrywind · 09/02/2017 06:46

OP I am not sure I would choose to live in such an unpleasantly hot country if I couldn't drive.

My sister has lived in Australia for decades, and although she drives she hates the heat with a passion- even more than when she first emigrated.

No one goes outside in these hoe months- it is a " great outdoors" country, but only for part of the year. In these hot months people stay indoors with the windows closed- much like we do in the UK in the winter.
Summers have been getting steadily worse , and usually followed by these heatwaves are bushfires, when the scrubland goes up like a tinderbox.

GwendolynMary · 09/02/2017 08:11

Eh? The whole country stays indoors - all 24mil of us? Have you been to a Sydney beach lately? You'd be lucky to get a full towel of space. Plenty of great outdoors happening, even on 38deg days like forecast this Saturday.

Original poster
user1477282676 · 09/02/2017 08:16

Skerry as I said before, the climate here is about 95% absolutely fine. Days like this are not the norm. I'd not consider not moving here because I can't drive for a few days a year's discomfort.

You keep saying "in these hot months" and "Nobody goes outside"

That's only a few days a year. We all go out fine on most days...hat on, long thin cotton top with sleeves...off you go. Even on a 36 to 38 degree day it's bearable but again...they're not THAT common.

We have beautiful weather mostly. We've had lots of rain...I love it here. Not driving only impacts me on the rare days when it's over 40 and even then, there's a lift somewhere or a day off.

OP posts:
Original poster
user1477282676 · 09/02/2017 08:17

Also Skerry I've been here for over a year. I don't need informing that "Everyone stays indoors with the windows closed" thanks. Grin I know what people do! I live here!

OP posts:
TheDowagerCuntess · 09/02/2017 08:24

Love it when people are more of an authority on a place, than actual residents, because a family member lived/s there...

MidniteScribbler · 09/02/2017 08:25

No one goes outside in these hoe months- it is a " great outdoors" country, but only for part of the year. In these hot months people stay indoors with the windows closed- much like we do in the UK in the winter.

Say what now? That simply doesn't happen. The slightest hint of sun and most Aussies head outside, although most are sensible and will avoid the sun during the hottest parts of the day and cover up when outside. The 38 degree temperature didn't deter anyone from the winery I visited on Sunday which was standing room only (and all of the carparks of the other wineries in the area were full). The kids in my street were out playing football at 4pm this afternoon (although to be fair, they were hanging around in front of my house hoping I would see them and let them into the pool for a swim). Neighbours are outside in their garden having a BBQ. When I drove past the local bar earlier, the outdoor deck was full of people. People simply do not hibernate indoors in the summer.

My sister has lived in Australia for decades, and although she drives she hates the heat with a passion- even more than when she first emigrated.

We have a name for these people.

TheMaddHugger · 09/02/2017 08:25

in these hot months" and "Nobody goes outside"

LMAO. I used to Work gardening and or Grape Picking [amoung other jobs]