There I was gently strolling down the esplanade at Brisbane’s riverfront when in the distance I noticed an ominous looking cloud rolling towards the mild mannered nature side, I was so effortlessly perusing. After gazing at the continuous bolts of lightening in the distance, and getting sun burnt on my shoulders at the same time, I decided to turn around and commence my long – 20 minute walk home. It didn’t take long for the storm to catch me… about 15 minutes and I was truly enveloped. And I mean enveloped!

The first thing to hit me was not the gentle pitter patter of rain. Oh no, it was a ruddy great hail stone right on the top of my pippaloid. This bad boy was the size of a 2 pence coin, but not as forgiving! It didn’t even have the decency to break in twain and somewhat dampen the blow. Of course, my luck, it was the first one I noticed as there was no forewarning from others hitting the ground around me first. And what’s more embarrassing apart from the cartoon lump growing from my, now second crown, was the fact that I recoiled in shock and or horror right outside a very trendy bar. Of course, chocka full with 8,9 and 10’s on Steve’s “hot chick o’meter”. Well, after gathering myself, sucking the gut in and puffing the chest out, I continued to carry on walking. Only having gone 2 steps, I was pelted again, on the back this time. I then decided to loose the ego and run for cover as my surroundings now looked like a battlefield with hail stones punishing the shrubbery around the walk paths and battering the bricks under my feet.

Then the rain and lightning came… Let me just say that the term drenched does not even come close. Even my money inside my wallet, which was inside my highly fashionable man bag, was soaked through. Everything was soaked. Even though there were high rise buildings surrounding me, I didn’t feel safe with the lightning. I even nearly lost a flip flop down a storm drain, trying to cross the road as it was flooded. Cars were driving on the pavements to get shelter from the hail which, on hindsight, is where I should have been.

In summary, a great stroll in the park was had by all.