Winter Clouds and Other Joys

 Last weekend, 2 August, saw the east coast of Australia having the chilliest weather of this winter. Heavy snow fell along the Great Dividing Range to a point just three hours from Brisbane. Chaos on the roads and for the farmers. Snow rarely falls this far north. 1984 was the last time this amount of snow had fallen.

I remember it well. My husband and I, along with two friends, were returning  from a

 weeks skiing in the Snowy Mountains. I write 'skiing' but actually the snow fall was dismal and we set off on our return journey feeling extremely disappointed. On climbing onto the the Great Dividing Range just north of Tamworth [550 km from home], we were suddenly filled with excitement.  Snowflakes were falling and continued to do so for the next 350 km to Stanthorpe. Roads closed behind us. We stopped in Armidale and made a 'small' snowman in a park. Our neighbours had booked for the week ahead and skied in the most incredibly wonderful snow conditions. Yes, we were jealous. The following days were bitterly cold. Thankfully that wasn't the case this time for us. By coincidence, I am going with a group this weekend, to stay outside Stanthorpe, where light falls occurred over the weekend. 

June 1984

Armidale Park - I've np idea how we came to have pipe cleaners in the car.

Frank trying to start rolling a snow ball for the snowman!

Alas, there is no photo of a completed snowman here, so I guess we ran out of time before its completion.

I have a dear friend living in a nursing home, who loves clouds. Because we have our wonderful view over the golf course, I am able to send her snapshots of the many cloud patterns passing over each day.

Thursday saw a rare event that had not only had me clicking the camera button, but photographers all over Brisbane. Magnificent altocumulous undulatus clouds filled the sky. Just stunning. 

A few days earlier, I had spotted ibis and pelicans on a waterhole just 5 mins away. At sunset, I hoped the colour would be spectacular there, so set off with my camera. Alas, many of the birds flew off as I arrived and the colours were muted, but it wasn't a wasted drive.  

The Hungry Hikers took a bay walk on Wednesday.

8.30am

Clouds and the pink haze of blossom, on a soaring Eucalyptus.

Mid morning cloud at Point Danger, mid June.

Sunrise

Sunset magic

Unusally for our winter, noisy thunderstorms with heavy rain have been passing through. West of Brisbane, they have also produced large amounts of hail.

Hailman not snowman.

On one of our evening walks, the Hungry Hikers got caught in a downpour that just wouldn't let up. Four kilometres had to be covered to get to our 6pm destination of St Stephens Cathedral. The lightshow, to an adapted Vivaldi's Four Seasons, was worth the discomfort.

This evening's clouds, feathery and dancing across the sky.

Spot the moon.

Dinner was late again tonight!

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Return to the Mountain

29 July - O'Reillys National Park - a Gaiter Girl walk with just Janice and myself. 

According to my calendar, it was Janice's birthday. Janice loves to forest breathe, so I chose two trails at O'Reillys, Lamington National Park that were perfect for this. Near by was Kamuran Lookout, the perfect spot for a birthday picnic.

It was a chilly, mid winter morning on the mountain, but these King Parrots made a cheerful sight.

And the view across the valley to my favourite peak, Mt Lindsey, was pretty special too.

A winding mossy path led us to the trail head.

First destination - Moran Falls

Above the falls

View from the falls.

And along the way - stunning vines, climbing and hanging from the trees.

The noose

The pretzel

Magnificent staghorns

Agate tree stump

Hanging tree fern clump

Mossy sculptures

Janice celebrating the forest and giant trees.

Our second destintion, further east along this ridge, was Python Rock. I was expecting a dominating outcrop. Thankfully another hiker arrived and pointed out the Python. Hmm.

Looking back to Moran Falls was much more impressive.

And to my favourite peak.

Along the way, more giants to take our breathe away.

This root has a tenacious grip on the soil.

Towards the viewing point we went through a grove of Grasstrees.

The trail dropped steeply down into the valley.

Our time in the rainforest was not completely perfect. This year has seen incredible rainfall totals and high winds. Subsequently we were confronted with the devastation of many of the giants. Park officers have had a mammoth task reopening the trails. 

These photos are of what must have been a particularly dramatic crash. One uprooted giant taking out two others. All these trees are hardwoods so the task of sawing them would have been very time consuming and very heavy to move.

First view ..........

The trail continued below below the fall.

Whilst the devastion is so very sad to see, nature has a plan and with time the floor of the forest benefits.

Eleven kilometres completed, and needing to thaw out, we drove down to Kamuran lookout for our picnic lunch. We were joined by a curious Currwong and two determined ants, wanting to share the birthday cake.

Ant with a piece of cake as big as himself.

Spot ant two.

A special day with a special friend. It turns out my celebration for Janice was a month late. The date on the calendar has been changed!

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