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A mouthful of summer It’s true that the simple things in life are best. Make the most of summer produce by pairing the sweetness of watermelon with the spicy tang of basil and saltiness of feta. Load up a platter of these easy bites on Christmas Day for an irresistible snack. 1kg of seedless watermelon 250g feta cheese Small fresh basil leaves Toothpicks Cut the watermelon and feta into cubes. Place the watermelon cubes on a platter, topping each with a cube of feta and a single basil leaf. Gently push a toothpick through each stack.
Super-sized summer GET SET FOR FIRE AND STORM SEASON Weather experts are warning a super El Niño may be on the way, bringing intense summer temperatures. It might seem a case of same but different for homeowners pounded by three years of La Nina’s flood chaos, as concern now shifts to heatwaves and bushfires. Neither of the Spanish siblings are particularly pleasant visitors. While La Niña brings above-average rainfall and lower temperatures, El Niño brings drier weather and higher-than-average temperatures. Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology declared an El Niño pattern in September and shortly after, forecasters in the US1 said modelling indicated it may develop into a scorching super El Niño.
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But that doesn’t mean there will be any reprieve from the looming summer storm season. Meteorologists have warned that while El Niño weather patterns produce lower overall rainfall and fewer cyclones, they have minimal impact on severe storms. So homeowners have been told to brace for everything this summer – heatwaves, bushfires and storms. It’s a lot. Try to keep from feeling overwhelmed by focussing on some key points.
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Always make sure you understand exactly what your policy covers in the event of storms, flooding and fire. Definitions can be narrower than you think. If you’re in a bushfire-prone area check what your insurer regards as fire damage. Some may only include losses caused directly by flames, while others will cover property ruined by heat, ash, soot and smoke from bushfires up to 100m away. Stringent new building codes in fire zones have also pushed up the cost of rebuilding in recent years, so consult a professional about whether your level of cover is enough to prevent you being caught short. It’s also important to understand you won’t be fully covered if your insurer considers inadequate home maintenance has contributed to losses. For example, if a cracked tile or blocked downpipe allowed water to leak into your roof, or your roof was covered in flammable leaves and debris when fire spread. Take updated photographs of your property in case you ever need to establish its condition prior to any damage.
1 Snider, L., NCAR experimental prediction system calls for a Super El Niño this winter, 26 September 2023, NCAR & UCAR News, www.news.ucar.edu.
