Blackout

We had a power cut for 3 hours this afternoon - called a 'blackout' here, even though it was during the day! I had heard a noise outside the house at lunchtime and then noticed all the power had gone, so checked our fuse box first (which is on the outside of the house) and then saw a group of neighbours up on the road. I went to check that they were without power as well and the overhead cable outside our house had apparently blown and the loose ends were dangling on the road - one end being several feet from our car!

Eventually an electricity worker came and fixed the cable back up but it was a bit disruptive to the working day with no computer or phone. These blackouts can be quite a common problem as most areas of Sydney have all the power and telephone cables above ground. In this area, where there are lots of trees along the streets, the cables can be affected by falling branches (particularly from gum trees that are prone to have branches break off) and so many trees are cropped every few years into a 'Y' shape to allow space for the cables. This cropping is usually accompanied by complaints from residents about how much the trees are cut back and disfigured!

Oh yes, it's also that time of year when the flies are back!