5 weeks leave - Day 12 the weather has turned cold and wet

The cold, wet weather has really set in for a few days.

I've used some of my new firestarters already keeping warm.  Today I just stayed home. It was a great day for a sleep in, some reading, yoga in front of the fire.

I am half way through my second week off and I am content with myself all day. The last few nights though ... I wake in the early morning with the remnants of disturbing dreams colouring my mood for a little while. All the dreams have had a common thread of work, of frantic running around and deep feelings of anxiety.  My days are calm and quiet although I have not yet given myself over to a day of complete nothingness. I feel I have to achieve something.  I'm trying to keep a balance between doing and being. I am tired of my sleep being disturbed with that frenetic energy and anxiety though.

I cooked some basil pesto, made a batch of soap too.  But then I took myself and my doggies for a long walk into town. I rugged up against the chill and off we set. It was nice, we walked quickly. No point to it but to get out. Oh and to get some exercise.  We all liked it.

Tonight I am watching the last season of Dr Who and well, blogging.

The other thing I did today was make spinach and ricotta gnocchi which I enjoyed for my dinner.

Need help interpreting clouds

Can anyone tell me what this cloud type signifies?

I'm hoping for rain. What are my chances?

It's hot, dry, there are bush fires raging here in the Highlands as well as the Blue Mountains west of Sydney. As far away as we are, the air is thick with smoke.

Am I going to get my wish or will I keep hoping some more?

Cheeky chicken now calls our verandah home

Stunning spinebill in Robertson garden

Robertson open gardens Spring 2013 - the vegetable garden highlights

We enjoyed the wonderful Sping sunshine viewing open gardens in Robertson this weekend. The gardens varied from huge estates to small but well designed suburban spaces.

 

I have chosen highlights from some spectacular vegetable gardens and orchards. Ah, so delightful to see the humble vegie patch be turned into works of art.

Stages of a waratah coming to bloom

Waratahs are the most magnificent complicated flower. They thrive in Roberston. 

The flowers start from a tight bud like a lotus that forms months before opening.

As they open they turn from green to pale pink and eventually to red.

When finished a new branch springs from the centre growing at least 50cm before forming a new flower next year.

Carrington Falls, Robertson

We picniced at the lovely Carrington Falls today.

Christmas in July at Grand Fountaindale Manor, Robertson

Tourists in our own town again today.

We walked down to Grand Fountaindale Manor for the last day of their Christmas in July celebration.

People from the northern hemisphere usually think its a very strange thing, decorating big hotels in full Christmas regalia in July. But its winter here now. Our summers are hot, hot, hot. You don't want egg nog and mulled wine and pudding when its 40 degrees and you run electric fans outside.  But its perfect in July.

We enjoyed Devonshire tea in front of a fire listening to old carols.

Planting dwarf apple trees reminiscent of Monet's garden

Our front garden is inspired by our trip to Monet's garden in Giverny, France.  While I could never claim a garden as wonderful as that our garden is pretty in a cottagy sort of way with flowers in shades of blue.

One of the things I loved in Monet's garden, and there were lots of things I loved, were the espaliered apple trees.

Ever since then I have wanted to plant apples in the same way, well today we did it. I bought two dwarf apple trees, one is a Jonathan and the other a Gala.  Both crisp red apples. I can't wait for Spring to see them come into blossoms and leaves.  Woebetide anything that causes the blossoms to fall early and reduce my chance of apples ;)

Not quite Monet style yet.  Well it needs to start somewhere.

The steam train visited Robertson today

The steam train visited Robertson today. We heard its whistle as it crossed the paddocks beyond our house. On a whim we grabbed cameras, leapt into the car and chased the train. We've lived here close to 10 years and we've never done that before. We have been at the station when it has come in but today we dashed in and out of the car, up and down the line taking snaps and it was FUN!

I took these photos with my digital camera. Howard took along his Spectra Polaroid. I'll share them when they've been scanned.

Its a stunning day, clear sunny. The steam train can only visit in Winter - there's too high a fire risk at other times of year. The heritage rail does run at other times but the old carriages are pulled by a diesel. It was nice to be a tourist in our own town. Nice to see so many people out and about enjoying life: the local kids were playing soccer, the cafes were full and there were a heap of people like us chasing the train.

Planting flowers for spring: Ranunculas

Today on a cool, wet, early Winter day here in Robertson I planted almost 100 ranuncula bulbs for Spring.

I created the curved garden inside our fence line a few years ago after being inspired by a visit to Monet's garden in Giverny. The dominant colour scheme is blue and yellow but I have thrown in a few random mixes like these ranunculas that flower after the daffodils are mostly spent.

Lately it has become overgrown with clumps of grass. Yet I have been surprised season after season how easily I can restore it: a couple of hours weeding and mulching and it looks lovely again. Today I weeded, covered gaps between the perennial lavender, sea spray, Marguerite and African daisies with horse manure and freshly made mulch from the hedge pruning we did a month ago. And planted these divine bulbs to fill in the gaps.  Howard mowed too so it won't need any attention now for months but will give us a lovely display to herald the Spring.

A walk around Robertson on a winter Sunday

DarlingBridget bags for sale at the Cool Room, Robertson

DarlingBridget bags for sale at the Cool Room, Robertson Cheese Factory. Bright and cheerful

rain, rain, and more rain in Robertson today

It is pouring rain here today as we are hit by the outer edge of a cyclone which crossed further up the coast.  Please note we are not suffering, its just rain. Its lovely and welcome as the ground has been dusty dry and our neighbour's dams empty for a while.

Our hearts go out to both family and strangers who are cut off without power in Queensland and Northern New South Wales. And to those who have lost love ones and their homes. Its only 2 years since the last major flood so some of those who just got back on their feet will be losing again.

While cyclones and floods are devastating the north, fires are destroying the south. Its a big, harsh country of great and terrible beauty. It is rather fitting that this should happen this weekend as we celebrated our nation's birth which resulted in greatness but began with destruction.

So meanwhile we are home safe, with power, food, wine and nowhere we have to be. Tomorrow may be interesting as we assess our route to work and see whether we can get through or whether we need to stay home again.

I can but extend hopes of peace and safety to those worse off.

late Spring day in Robertson

We went for a walk with friends yesterday on a clear late Spring day. These photos show just how beautiful my street is.

Taken by RachaelB.