Weather Tuesday 20th September 2011

After a bit over a week away, I came back to 32 degrees and brilliant sunshine, thankfully no humidity yet. What a difference a couple of weeks can make, the comfortable cooler air has ended and warmer summer days are on the way. The Spring equinox seems to sneak up on me each year, coming not long after the end of winter, making me think our segregated seasons are not so apt in the subtropics. Bees are buzzing, native trees are full of blossom and the chooks are laying again. While it remains dry, weeding is a priority, before the roots gain strength with fresh rain and growth takes off.
This week several bushfires in have filled skies in South-east Queensland with a thick smoke haze, enough to give a taste in the back of your throat. Spring is almost over, as soon as the humidity begins I feel like it's Summer.

Burrawang Tuesday 20 September.

Farmers in south eastern Australia will tell you that there is a phenomenon called the Equinox Gale. Here it is Equinox eve and its blowing a gale outside.

I think that the temperature on the forecast is a few hours out of date. It's 12 noon and outside in the sun it feels like it is in the low 20s.

The branches on the claret ashes are buffeted by the north westerly winds.

For the last week we have had warm sunny days and temperate nights. I have planted tomatoes and cucumbers with little covers to protect them in the event of frosts. Crabapple blossoms and fresh green shoots are sure signs that spring is here.

Weather Tuesday 30th August

It's brilliant blue skies and sunshine this morning (Wednesday), quite the opposite from yesterdays overcast day and stormy evening. Blanketing cloud didn't bring much rain yesterday, it was that in between weather, neither warm or cold, just right for gardening. Late in the afternoon the sky changed to a deep blue-purple colour on the horizon as storm clouds built up. A severe weather warning was posted, thankfully we missed the worst of hail and winds predicted. My fabulous new umbrella has been getting a good work out, loving it. The garden is verdant green again and ground wet from the few torrential downpours in the last week. Mulberries are ripening, fig birds have arrived and wait impatiently in the she oak till I move away, then they're in for a feed. Asparagus spears are starting to shoot and winter cabbages are beginning to split with the sudden rains. I am savouring these still coolish days..anticipating the spring heat that will arrive shortly.

Burrawang Tuesday 30 August (yesterday)

Yesterday was cold and overcast like a winter's day but the image shows the first signs of spring.
While we have perceptions of weather based on the actions we take to make our selves comfortable, wearing an overcoat, lighting the fire, using an umbrella, turning on the air conditioning, applying sunscreen, the plants around us let us know that the ground temperature is rising and that there have been more hours of sunshine. Nothing says spring more than buds and blossoms on bare limbs.

Weather Tuesday 23 August

Wild weather would be a fair and reasonable description of today. After torrential downpours over night, rain has continued in sporadic bursts varying between a fine mist and deluge. After a reasonable dry spell, the ground is soaked again and the local creek flowing, one sure sign of substantial rain. Winds have eased a little from yesterdays gale force southerlies that ripped leaves from trees and rattled flyscreens. I can hear rain trickling in the gutters and at the same moment a clear blue patch of sky has appeared between grey clouds. It's the kind of weather I associate with Ekka week, the last of winter, only it's come a week later than usual (unless Ekka was early this year).

Bowral Tuesday 23 August

As I can't work out how to add an image from my iPad camera roll this will have to be a venal description.
Today is the sixth day when we have had overcast conditions with brief episodes of sunshine. The conditions are mild for the last few weeks of winter with no frosts for a week and no strong winds.
it is a lovely time to be recupperating as all visitors bring me flowers from their gardens. I currently have Iris, Freesias, Daphne, King Alfred Daffodils, Magnolia and Cyclamen on the window sill.

Weather Tuesday 16 August - Willow Vale

The weather has been 'perfect' the last week, with bright sunny days and not too much wind. I am loving the sunshine and warmth outdoors. Some cool nights are persisting, but an early morning walk in the garden heats me through. It has remained dry with only occasional light showers that barely wet the ground. A bit more time is being spent watering the vegies and some fruit trees, but this is a very pleasant activity at this time of year.
Orange trees are now full of scented blossom and the buzz of bees, pepino fruits are ripening  and I'm picking turnips and cabbage...lots of winter veg soup.
I've made and heard lots of remarks about the weather lately, it's such a lovely time.