It is 100 degrees in the water-bag
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381960)
Rockingham, Australia
December 16, 2019 2:36am CST
On my side of the world, in Western Australia, we’re in the middle of a heatwave. Perth, our capital, is about two hours’ drive away and has had three or four consecutive days with temperatures over the 40C mark (104F). We haven’t quite touched 40C here yet, thank goodness. We’re usually a bit cooler than the city. The city is more likely to have stinking hot nights too.
When I was a child, we had a ‘water bag’ on the verandah. There were various models but one was very similar to that in the photo. The bag was made of heavy canvas and once the fibres swelled, the bag would be hung from a hook in the shade on the verandah. The circulation of air kept the water relatively cool. In those days, we were talking in Fahrenheit, not Celsius.
On extremely hot days, a common saying was that it was ‘100 degrees in the water bag’. That’s what it feels like today.
Photo courtesy Wikimedia of a military issue water bag: Auckland Museum [CC BY 4.0 (
18 people like this
17 responses
@garymarsh6 (23998)
• United Kingdom
16 Dec 19
I don't know how people are coping with that heat. I would tend to stay indoors with all the curtains closed to keep the heat out. Even so it is still far too hot. Last year we had two days where the temperature was around 35C far too uncomfortable for us here in the UK. We just are not used to that kind of heat!
3 people like this
@JudyEv (381960)
• Rockingham, Australia
16 Dec 19
@Fleura @garymarsh At least it isn't normally humid here. We open the house early if there is any breeze then close it right up as soon as it starts to warm up. Close windows and doors and pull the curtains closed. We have A/C and will run it if the heat is really getting to us. The bedrooms and office have ceiling fans which are quite efficient too. Luckily, it usually cools off in the evenings although we may still sleep without a sheet for most of the night.
1 person likes this
@averygirl72 (38849)
• Philippines
16 Dec 19
Is it summer time there? My relatives are in Perth. Seems really uncomfortable
2 people like this
@JudyEv (381960)
• Rockingham, Australia
16 Dec 19
Yes, it is summer. Perth has slightly hotter weather even than we have.
@JudyEv (381960)
• Rockingham, Australia
16 Dec 19
It's only December. We have at least two months of similar weather to go. March is often very hot too.
@JudyEv (381960)
• Rockingham, Australia
16 Dec 19
That's a good idea. I didn't know about that. Thanks for the suggestion.
@GardenGerty (169453)
• United States
17 Dec 19
OH you just loaded me up with lots of facts in one concise post. You used to do Fahrenheit, People kept hydrated with water available in bags and you had a "saying". I really like this post. I think I would like a water bag as well.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381960)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Dec 19
Thanks. It wasn't really intentional but I'm glad you like it. 
@snowy22315 (208823)
• United States
16 Dec 19
Wow, I would hang a water bag here in the summer. Of course the air is so humid..not sure that would do anything.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
16 Dec 19
i hope that none've perished due to that heat, hon. kinda makes ya wonder how folks survived back'n the day - without a/c 'n the need to work the fields 'n such. i wonder the same here'n these parts. i recall those bags, we'd tie 'em off'n a creek back'n the hills to keep the water cooler.
i can see such bein' that temp, 's e'en with shade those triple digits seem to permeate all.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
17 Dec 19
@JudyEv yes ma'am, those days where ya did yer best to get'er all done 'fore 9am 'n then hoped fer a cool eve, lol. dunno though, does't cool off much there come sunset? durin' summer, we've 'bout a 30-35 degree drop come sunset 'n through the night.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381960)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Dec 19
@crazyhorseladycx We would go down about 5pm to milk the 2 or 3 house cows then feed calves, pigs, horses, etc. By about 6, it would be cooling off a bit but the house would be really hot so we often cut sandwiches and ate outside.
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (22247)
• United States
16 Dec 19
That is hot. What is a normal summer there? Drink plenty of water.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
17 Dec 19
I remember watching the Australian Tennis Open and many times and your country had excessive heat conditions the players had to endure. It even brought out bugs which added to the uncomfortable conditions. Yes, your December's can be really hot!
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
16 Dec 19
wow, love the water bag
that is way to hot!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381960)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Dec 19
We've been really pleased that we haven't had to go out in it.
@arthurchappell (44941)
• Preston, England
16 Dec 19
that is very hot - I much preferred Farenheit to celsius
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381960)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Dec 19
I guess we're used to it now. Metric and decimal too since 1966.
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
16 Dec 19
I can remember seeing waterbags on cars when I was a kid.
1 person likes this
