That’s been the forecast for Melbourne the past few days. The worst of the fires seems to be over, but there are constant reminders, like the smoke haze, of the people and animals affected.
And like this sunrise last Friday:
And Saturday’s sunset:
These appeared even redder in real life. And the moon was red too, but I couldn’t get a good picture of that.
OK, I’d like some rain now, thanks. Real, honest-to-goodness rain.
This is how my bay tree is looking after several days of over 40C temperatures in recent weeks. Apart from a few other struggling plants and some scorched tomatoes, we haven’t suffered at all from the extreme heat and awful bushfires that have raged and continue rage across Victoria, causing unimaginable suffering to others, not too far from us here in Melbourne, but too far for us to feel much more than helpless. It seems the best most of us can do for now is donate money here.
But there are other things we can do and many of those are listed here and here. Some friends and I spoke yesterday about all of us knitting some squares to join together to make blankets, so that some of the people who are now without homes and most or all of their possessions, will at least have something to wrap around themselves as the weather gets cooler. It’s the least we can do.
I don’t want this to be a blog about how or why I never post to my blog. So I won’t mention it, if you don’t. Moving on…
We got back from two weeks staying with my parents in Tasmania on Saturday. We had a lovely, relaxing and rather warm time. Some of the highlights:
Picking radishes with Grandpa
Observing the two frogs living (of their own accord) in Mum and Dad's dining room
Visiting the beautiful Tamar Valley
Admiring all the bees and bumblebees working hard in the lavender
Raiding the blueberry patch
Swims in the backyard pool, lovingly cleaned by Dad
Starting and finishing a 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle
Appreciating the magnificent sunflowers
Other highlights included a second second birthday party for Isobel (more on the first later), visiting the monkeys at Launceston City Park, sewing (yes, actual sewing!), spending time with family (of course), games of Uno and 500 and lots of good food and drink. It was a bit of a shock to come back to reality, but I’m excited about this year and what it may bring.