Wet, Hot and Humid

The day after I wrote last week's post dawned wet. The previous week the Hungry Hikers had to cancel because of the torrential rain all day. We didn't want to miss another week, so took the chance and met at Wurga Nature Reserve at 7 am, after an hour's travel.

As we left it was raining. As we approached it was raining, and as we drove home it was raining. Thankfully, we managed 5 kilometres through the endangered Swamp Tea Tree reserve and kept dry.

It appeared to us that this area hadn't received the rainfall of further east.  The trees were quite stark looking and I hadn't expected them to be as tall as they were. In fact, I had thought they were Swamp Paperbarks as in the Coombabah Wetlands. The above placard set me straight. 

We believe this handsome horse had broken into the reserve from the neighbouring farm.

Time for morning tea and Margot's delicious macadamia pie.

Thursday saw another very wet start to the day. I had been asked to drive my cousin to Cabarita to visit her 91 year old friend. 

A further half hour drive saw me enjoying a coffee at the Northern Rivers Regional Art Centre, enjoying the lush view across the Tweed River.

I then drove into Murwillumba to do some shopping. The shopping wasn't at all successful, but I did spot this amazing flowering tree in a local park. I had never seen one before. A Rose Apple, belonging to our native family of syzygiums or lilly pillies.

Returning to Cabarita, I spent a lovely hour watching the waves roll in at a local beach.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday saw nearly 4 inches fall. Monday dawned fine, but the humidity soared from all the moisture. This morning, Tuesday 3 December, The Gaiter Girls set off on a local walk at 6 am. Finishing at 7.30. We most certainly needed to take a refreshing dip in Rachel's pool.

Dawn

A very fast flowing and full Logan River.

Top R -  a very unusually deeply coloured frangipani and another shrub that I didn't recognise. Pride of India, a member of the Lagerstromia family.  The flower is very similar to that of the Crepe Myrtle which is very prevalent.

Three weeks to Christmas and even Santa has to do his washng.!

Towards the end of our walk we were delighted by these newly painted electrical poles. 

Wet, hot and humid yes, but that is our summer and the week has been very much enjoyed. 

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Sunshine on a Suburban Walk

Gaiter Girls walking.

 Last week was all cloud, rain and 'cool'. Four inches of rain and, we were reaching for our jackets when the evening temperature dropped to 18C. Yes, I can hear you groaning and wishing for the same. I had planned a completely different post for this week, but on walking in early morning sunshine with the Gaiter Girls today, I decided to share our sunshhine with you. I fully realise how awful the weather has been in the northern hemisphere.

Not only was it sunny, but everywhere looked stunning after the week of rain. We were walking in an area near Janice's and the houses are on small acerage blocks. Although sweaty when we completed  the walk of 6 km, it had been a glorious morning for excerise.

5am sunrise

6.45 am, Albert River

Kookaburra perching on the railing.

Flame tree

Someone is ready for Christmas!

Soaring eucalyptus.

A fenceline lined with agapanthus.

An interesting mailbox.

The poincianas are really starting to make a magnificent display.

Colour in Janice's garden. Hibiscus and Tibouchina Jules.

Coffee view. Can you see the orchid on the jacaranda?

I hope my sunshine has brightened your day!

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This is November

 Wednesday 20 November.

No walking today as the rain has hardly stopped for the past 48 hours. Thankfully just sufficent falls where I live. Such a shame though, as the temperatures have dropped to the low twenties. One almost needs a cardigan!

November storms.

This one had hardly any wind, but just enough to blow over my lovely pink grevillea at the end of our pergola.

The storm below, completely bipassed us. Very heavy falls nearby. I noticed the colour in the sky to the east and went to investigate. I quickly grabbed my camera.

North east

West

Last rays.

November sees the last purple blossoms clinging to the jacaranda.

The burst of red blossoms on the poinsiana trees.

November brings the heady scent of the frangipani blossoms.

November for many is the completion of high school days and university examinations. The weekend treks to the coast become a traffic nightmare. On Saturday I was visiting a friend at the coast for lunch and left a couple of hours early, to have a relaxed drive down. I took crocheting, a book and messages to be sent. Alas, none of that was touched as I was captivated by the busyness of the seaway.

November sees me watching the sun rise as I commence my daily walk of six kilometres. However, I still arrive home hot and sweaty. A dip in the pool is very welcome.

The rain had just passed on as I set off yesterday morning, enhancing the trunks of the eucalpytus and leaving raindrops glistening on native blossoms and trees.

Did I catch a raindrop falling?

November rain quickly produces overgrown footpaths and lawns, plus a mushroom or two.

For Alexandra - this heart still amazes me.

I spotted this heart as my son and I set off to play disc golf, beneath the canopy of autumn colours. Such a special morning.

Finally a surprise sighting of this number plate in a local shopping centre. I wish I had had time to discover who owned it and their connection to PEI.

As November rushes towards December and the busyness of Christmas, remember this.

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