Keeping Warm in the Australian Winter




If you are a Michigander most likely you would laugh at what the Australians call "winter." It is a very pleasant season and is nothing like the feet upon feet of snow and below freezing temperatures we become accustomed to in Michigan. The temperature here in Sydney roughly ranges from about 40 - 60 degrees Fahrenheit (5-16 degrees Celsius). Although, looking at the weather forecast for this week Friday is meant to have a high of 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius). Come on let's be honest, that is not like winter at all! That is just beautiful weather!



I know, I know - you read that and think how could this blog possibly tell you how to keep warm in the Australian winter - when it gets up to 70 degrees Fahrenheit? Well, it does actually get quite chilly especially at night. Imagine it is 40 degrees Fahrenheit outside - but you do not have any kind of heating system inside your house! Yep, that's right, that is why you get cold in the Australian winter - because no one has central heating! (Okay - I am willing to admit someone may have central heating here in Australia - but I am not lucky enough to be one of them - or even know one of them!)



Last night I crawled into bed wearing a t-shirt and comfy pants thinking I would be warm enough with my comforter. Wrong! The tip of my nose felt like ice and I just couldn't get comfortable. This is when I decided to put my hot water bottle to good use. (Okay, okay - I actually stole this idea from my roommate - just so everyone knows I am giving credit where credit is due.) Upon arrival in Australia I had noticed quite a few display of hot water bottles for sale - but didn't really understand their popularity. My roommate explained to be that you sleep with the hot water bottle next to you and it keeps you warm. I went out and bought one for myself, and last night with my nose as cold as ice I decided it was as good of a time to start using it as any.



Now - on the bottle it says not to put boiling water in the hot water bottle. Of course, I ignored this. I tried to follow the rules, I really did. I filled the hot water bottle with the hottest tap water my tap would give me. The results were disappointing to say the least and the name luke-warm water bottle might have been more appropriate. I decided to throw caution to the wind and boil some water in the electric kettle. I carefully filled my hot water bottle with boiling water - and voila, I actually had a hot water bottle.



As I was unsure about 'sleeping with hot water bottle to keep warm etiquette' I decided to place the hot water bottle on my belly. My logic was as follows. My body was clearly working hard to keep my core warm - hence all the blood rushing to the core keeping the core warm and leaving the fingers, toes, and nose like ice. I figured if I put the hot water bottle next to my core my body would have to work less keeping it warm and could spare some blood and energy keeping my fingers, toes, and nose warm.



Turns out, I was right. It worked perfectly. I was toasty warm all night! :-) I do believe I am going to make this a routine - so there is nothing but warm cozy nights in my future!
Sydney Smiles: Keeping Warm in the Australian Winter

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Keeping Warm in the Australian Winter




If you are a Michigander most likely you would laugh at what the Australians call "winter." It is a very pleasant season and is nothing like the feet upon feet of snow and below freezing temperatures we become accustomed to in Michigan. The temperature here in Sydney roughly ranges from about 40 - 60 degrees Fahrenheit (5-16 degrees Celsius). Although, looking at the weather forecast for this week Friday is meant to have a high of 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius). Come on let's be honest, that is not like winter at all! That is just beautiful weather!



I know, I know - you read that and think how could this blog possibly tell you how to keep warm in the Australian winter - when it gets up to 70 degrees Fahrenheit? Well, it does actually get quite chilly especially at night. Imagine it is 40 degrees Fahrenheit outside - but you do not have any kind of heating system inside your house! Yep, that's right, that is why you get cold in the Australian winter - because no one has central heating! (Okay - I am willing to admit someone may have central heating here in Australia - but I am not lucky enough to be one of them - or even know one of them!)



Last night I crawled into bed wearing a t-shirt and comfy pants thinking I would be warm enough with my comforter. Wrong! The tip of my nose felt like ice and I just couldn't get comfortable. This is when I decided to put my hot water bottle to good use. (Okay, okay - I actually stole this idea from my roommate - just so everyone knows I am giving credit where credit is due.) Upon arrival in Australia I had noticed quite a few display of hot water bottles for sale - but didn't really understand their popularity. My roommate explained to be that you sleep with the hot water bottle next to you and it keeps you warm. I went out and bought one for myself, and last night with my nose as cold as ice I decided it was as good of a time to start using it as any.



Now - on the bottle it says not to put boiling water in the hot water bottle. Of course, I ignored this. I tried to follow the rules, I really did. I filled the hot water bottle with the hottest tap water my tap would give me. The results were disappointing to say the least and the name luke-warm water bottle might have been more appropriate. I decided to throw caution to the wind and boil some water in the electric kettle. I carefully filled my hot water bottle with boiling water - and voila, I actually had a hot water bottle.



As I was unsure about 'sleeping with hot water bottle to keep warm etiquette' I decided to place the hot water bottle on my belly. My logic was as follows. My body was clearly working hard to keep my core warm - hence all the blood rushing to the core keeping the core warm and leaving the fingers, toes, and nose like ice. I figured if I put the hot water bottle next to my core my body would have to work less keeping it warm and could spare some blood and energy keeping my fingers, toes, and nose warm.



Turns out, I was right. It worked perfectly. I was toasty warm all night! :-) I do believe I am going to make this a routine - so there is nothing but warm cozy nights in my future!

3 Comments:

At July 29, 2010 at 4:31 AM , Blogger K.Pete said...

oh my - I remember my first Australian winter - no lie my fingers turned blue in my apartment and I was SHIVERING!!!

Glad you found something that helped warm you up!! xoxo

 
At August 3, 2010 at 7:46 AM , Anonymous Aunt M said...

:) I am just showing my mom how to post a comment on here.

 
At August 7, 2010 at 11:26 PM , Blogger Mimi and Joe said...

Love it! I am so buying one - it is freezing in our apartment since we are right on the water....

 

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