This has turned political. The government should, various parties argue, have been able to guarantee supply. All very well. I’d suggest another role for government: it should have urged folk, where possible, to curb their use and decrease the load. It’s nice to have, but air conditioning is not compulsory or necessary.

Restraint was never suggested, and maybe if it had been, people would have been prepared to suffer a little more in the heat and save the power load for the people who really needed it. Or maybe not.

It doesn’t say a lot for the sort of sacrifice that will probably be necessary to bring big long-term changes to climate to heel, that we can’;t get through three days of high heat without bringing our power system to its keens due to the over use of various comforting appliances.

It says even less that we see this sort of access to high-cost technology as a right that should be guaranteed by government. That’s an attitude that will need to change methinks.

EXCUSE me if I sound cross. Didn’t get much sleep, after the power to my home and air-conditioner – was cut three times.Oops. Make that now four.

And last night I counted all the plants I lost because the Government can’t get me enough water, either.

Thirteen so far, actually, plus the two lawns. Not to mention the grass of the park down the end of our street.

No power, little water and the radio just now was warning that dozens more trains were being cancelled, too.

So, yes, I’m tired and cranky. But aren’t you also angry – enraged – that our great city has been brought so low by such mammoth incompetence?

Fact is, Victoria is now paying the price for being too green, blind and thick to build basic stuff for a population we let grow far too fast.

Melburnians in particular this week suffered for it.

And there it is: it’s too hot in my house and my plants are dying. Entire river systems must pay for this.