After seven years of mostly below average rainfall, we’ve had a good spring this year, with rain nicely sprinkled through the past few months. This past week, it’s been gray skies and rain every day; not often heavy, but good soaking rain – around 2 inches over five days or so. There’s not been enough run-off to make much difference in the levels of our dams, but they have risen a little. We’re moving into summer storm season, so we’ll likely have a few brief late afternoon storms with heavy rainfall in the next couple of months – the type of rain that can fill the dams quite quickly!
This morning, the sun is shining, the frogs are creating a noisy celebration down in the little dam in front of the house, the young choughs (black birds with white wing-tips) in the resident extended family group are screeching for food from their relatives, and the fairy wrens are flitting around the overgrown herb-garden. The landscape is, for us, quite green – not an Irish or a New Zealand green, but definitely more green than brown! And the trees and bushes are shooting out new growth at quite a pace:
Green spring growth on a eucalypt
The three callistemon (bottlebrush) bushes near the house have been flowering for a couple of weeks. Bottle brushes come in a range of colours, and the ones we have are a deep pink.
Callistemon (bottlebrush)
They’re always a gorgeous sight – and, for me, they have a ‘Christmas’ type of feel – even though they will probably have faded by Christmas itself. They remind me though that summer is coming, and for us in the southern hemisphere that includes Christmas!
I enjoy Christmas, and making preparations for it. This year, the DH and I are travelling to Canberra to spend a few days with my family over Christmas. We’ll travel down over two days, probably exploring a few back roads on the way, and staying overnight in Mudgee or somewhere else. We’ve booked into a nice hotel near the centre of Canberra, so we can spoil ourselves a little. I’m looking forward to the trip – my family are wonderful, and our Christmas celebrations are low-key but pleasant, without the dramas or the stresses that some families have, so it should be a lovely time. I’m having fun gathering together Christmas gifts, and I’m planning to make a Christmas pudding to take. I’ve got a bit to get through before then – another trip to Sydney for medical stuff, and of course a novel to work on! – but it’s good to have something cheerful in the not-too-distant future to think about!
So beautiful. I already miss the colors of the growing season, and your blog eases that craving.
It’s already snowed four times in Chicago, and it’s only November! Maybe winter won’t seem so long up here if you keep showing off the Australian color. 🙂
I’ve not seen a pink calistemon before. I think it’s stunning!
Bronwyn, you always sell the most lovely of lovely stories. When I read your blogs I’m always in, you leave me full of wonder (and envy).
I see you as a homely person, completely content, unable to be drawn away from your private world. Then I read of your travels with a desire to take the scenic routine like a seasoned gipsy. —– I’m beginning to see a contented homely gipsy, a master (mistress) storyteller who always carries a pen in her pocket. — Hope your Christmas is a joyful occasion and next year offers you novel sales to exceed your expectations. —– Eric
Theresa, I’m not sure I could cope with a winter like yours! I’ll try to oblige with colourful photos, to help you through it!
Bells, it is a gorgeous pink one – we’ve actually got three of them, planted near each other. They’ve only been in a few years, but are doing fairly well, despite the drought. When we finally get the garden going properly, we’ll add some different varieties!
Eric – ‘a contented homely gipsy’ is a good description of me!! I do enjoy travelling, mostly back roads and byways, but I’m also happy at home. I’m fortunate that my life currently gives me a nice balance of both. I love seeing places and people, and the ways that place impacts and shapes who we are.