It's been a mixed day of weather with blue skies this morning. Puffy white clouds lined up in bands towards the horizon like a perspective lesson. During the afternoon clouds built up and darkened with only small patches of sky visible. Wind gusts developed, blustering trees in random squals. No rain as yet, just dull and cool. It's the kind of weather I think of being typical of the coast - morning sunshine and afternoon cloud.
The mulberry tree hangs on to the last of it's leaves at the top. A cold dry wind from the west has been blowing for a few days now. Robbing warmth from the sunlit bright blue skies. More than a week without any rain, it seems like a long time since that last happened. Clear skies have brought cold nights and mornings of around 5 degrees, so a few more jumpers on and chilled fingers.
It has been good weather for working in the garden, quickly warmed by activity, the 18 - 20 degrees day temps are very comfortable. The image above from left to right shows the before, during and after weeding activity. Winter, in my mind May-August, is a four month opportunity to get the garden back under some control. Growth is very slow with the colder temperatures and major clear out work is feasible without the summer humidity. But there is definately a time limit before warmer weather brings on rampant growth again, such is the cycle of growth and weather here.
Clear skies last night and today, with some welcome sunshine and a little warmth indoors. Outside gusting westerly winds chilled the air substantially. There is something about the late afternoon light of winter skies that I love. The colours appear so clear without that slight haze of summer humidity, and perhaps the golden glow of light is warming mentally if not so much physically. The ground remains damp, turning lawn areas to mud in foot traffic patches, unusual to see at this time of year. Grass growth has slowed to almost a standstill with the cooler weather. The winter solstice approaches, bringing thoughts of the turn to slightly longer days and a journey towards Spring again.
A fine blanketing layer of cloud filled the sky this morning and most of the day until almost sunset when little patches of blue sky could be seen. Soft grey enveloped most of the day, making for rather non-descript, mild, not too much of anything weather (nothing nearly as exciting as the prospect of snow!) Temperature reached about 19 degrees with a very slight breeze. Possible showers expected tomorrow will yet again alleviate the need for watering in the vegetable garden.
The mulberry tree is still holding on to a few leaves. Silvereyes (below) and Double-barred finches have been in the garden for the past couple of months. This one seem interested in the Pigeon Pea flower growing amongst the Mulberry Tree branches.
Orange season is almost here, not quite ripe yet. I made a quick run down to the orchard this morning in an attempt to scare off a flock of large white cockatoos that had perched around the orchard and looked suspiciously like they were checking out the ripeness of said fruit. It seemed to work, otherwise they may have also decided next week would bring a sweeter harvest.
Ginger and tumeric in the vegie garden are both dying down now for their winter dormancy.
