Sorry, but I have been out all day, so there is no post today.

Parts of north Queensland were hit by a massive Category 5 Tropical cyclone during the night. It did extensive damage to homes and other buildings. In some small townships up to 90% of the buildings have been damaged and some people left homeless. There was also flash flooding and flooding by the sea surge caused by the cyclone.

The other flooding in Queensland and Victoria is easing. But it will take many months, perhaps years for the damage to be repaired.

Here in Sydney, NEW SOUTH WALES, we are having an extended season of high temperatures and very humid conditions. In the city (CBD) temperatures have reached 33-35 degrees Celsius, while in the outer suburbs it has got to 45 - 47 C. There is no change in view till sometime next week!

By the way, it is the Year of the Rabbit for the Chinese.