RED SAILS IN THE SUNSET was the post apocalyptic album cover and title of a 1984 Midnight Oil album.



On September 23, 2009 (and again on September 26), a giant dust storm blanketed Sydney having been blown by strong winds from the dry farm land in western and southern NSW and eastern South Australia. These pics by James Wray at M & G



The Harbour Bridge is shrouded in dust storm.



Six-year-old Ariella (top) and her three-year-old sister Romy enjoy an early morning swing in Balmain.




A surfer walks up the sand at Bondi Beach.



A runner passes a dog tied to a bench - also at Bondi.



The Sydney Opera House is shrouded by dust.



Beach goers walk through the haze at Bondi.



Seagulls reluctantly take flight in the high winds, Bondi Beach.



A surfer heads for the water as dust blankets Bondi Beach.



A man prepares to leave a ferry wharf in Balmain after learning the service has been canceled.



The Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House.

We had another dusting on Saturday morning, but it was only about 10% of the big orange and cleared up pretty quickly in the gales. Luckily we left washing the car until Sunday.

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My car would make more sense with a NSW number plate right now.

The first dust storm in my memory was 1983 (had the day off school). I think that is still Melbourne's biggest:

... Elizabeth St during a torrential downpour.

Sensational flood....and it makes sense because that particular street - on old maps - is an old river/creek alignment.

We are probably not helping the Australian tourist industry in this thread!!

I don't know, there was a lot of tourists interviewed by news crews during the big orange and they seemed to think it was fun.

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"Melbourne 1972 ... September 28 2009, 2:13 AM"
Fer' like, real?
That's an awsome image
I had no idea..... well how wood eye;
with you down there and all.
friggin' chilling....
I'll look THAT up.. ( I will)

Incredible pics, are you seriously saying that you've used no filter or not tried to tone the pics? Unbelievable! They look like they were taken on Mars.


That pic of the playground looks like it as straight from T2, when Sarah dreamed of the nuclear explosion:

Incredible pics, are you seriously saying that you've used no filter or not tried to tone the pics?

No filter necessary, it was exactly like that.

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Yes, I was thinking T2 exactly ... taking us back to that Midnight Oil apocalypse. Almost all the Sydney dust storm pics I've seen are in that deep red so yes, I think there is no filter on those pics at all.

Amazing pics!!!

The husband recollected a similar dust storm blanketing Fresno when he was a child there in the Sixties. He said it got very dark.

Those pix are positively unearthly - loved the stolid little bull terrier at Bondi.
And those people should be wearing masks - did anyone tell them?

Do you remember your President Nixon?

<< Those pix are positively unearthly >>

I agree, Life On Mars and all that.


< loved the stolid little bull terrier at Bondi.>>

Anyone seen it's owner? Bill Sykes I think his name is


< And those people should be wearing masks - did anyone tell them? >>

I think they were all scared of being called Michael Jackson fans if they did

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REALITY bites
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There were quite a few people wearing masks that morning, myself included. I also had shades and a beanie. I looked scary!

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WEll I've cancelled my ticket to Mars fell Like I've been there already
That was a big Flood in Melborne really haven't heard about it funny
how People want to forget Flood but when they come again you hear all these
Stories about the last BIG FLood
bats

Sounds lovely, Nibs.
I've always loved the bully...they seem very conscious of their comedic appearance and they play to it. I'd have one if I could bring him to the office.

Do you remember your President Nixon?

They can be lovely, loving, delightful creatures. Sadly they can also be killers.

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Not unlike some people.

Do you remember your President Nixon?