Now that’s windy!

We all know that Docklands is windy.  But January 11 will be a day to remember.

On what was Melbourne’s coldest January day in three years, Docklands was battered by hail and gale-force winds which had even the most hardy souls confined indoors.

In NewQuay locals were amazed to see two chairs fly from a Conder balcony and land in the middle of the Harbour Esplanade tram tracks.

And next door, MAB’s large outdoor advertising banner was ripped from its hoarding and flapped like a giant whip in the tempest.

The hoarding bent at 45 degrees but MAB says there was never any danger to the public as it was firmly anchored at its base.

The cold spell brought snow to the alps and storms and rain to much of Victoria.

When it comes to south-westerly weather, Docklands is Melbourne’s first line of defence.  Docklands shelters the CBD from the worst of the weather.

One local was heard to exclaim that if Docklands’ new Norfolk Island palm trees could survive the storm, they could survive anything.  And they were certainly tested – bending like springs – only to bounce back between gusts.

Too bad if you happened to be walking (or riding, as in our photo) around during the worst of it.