Spring Storms

It has been a few years since we have had 'good' spring storms. The word 'good' has two meanings. Good as in heavy falls of rain and good as in not damaging. The first storm arrived late October. As I saw the clouds gathering I rushed for my camera to chronicle the low level of the golf ponds and the brown, where the club irrigation didn't reach. 

 

Two weeks later, a glorious green view, the result of 5 storms and 179 mm [7 inches] of rain. We are so grateful and also relieved, that the heavy falls have been widespread in the farming communities that so desperately wanted a good spring season.

On the 28 October, my friend Jocelyn and I, travelled south across the border [now open to us, with a permit] to visit my brother outside Lismore, and then travelling on to Afterlee and our family farm for a few days. It was after lunch time when we arrived at Ian's. Sitting on his verandah chatting, we watched a storm travel quickly down the valley towards us. Half an hour later 25 mm [1inch] was in his gauge.       

                                         

So much beauty in the valley, after the storm.

Driving to Afterlee a little later, Jocelyn and I were oohing and aahing at the beauty of the mist wafting over the ridges on either side of the road.

These storm clouds appeared a day later, as we drove to and from Kyogle to visit my cousins. No rain fell.

We travelled back to Beenleigh via the Mt Lindsey Highway. Not long into our morning journey home, the storm clouds predicted for the afternoon, began filling the sky. We drove through a very heavy deluge, but as we approached the border control, the skies were seemingly clear. The officer checking our pass suddenly said, "Is that hail?" 

Yes, several large pieces fell out of nowhere. We were given the all clear and drove on, thankfully with no damage. An hour later and about 45 mins from home I stopped and took these images, both for the storm in front and behind us, and the stunning Silky Oak trees.

These storms turned into a widespread supercell, bringing heavy rain, dangerous winds and giant damaging hail over a wide area of Brisbane. 

This is the radar image as I arrived home with half an hour to spare. Our storm was very pleasant, even with the hail on our 3 day old pool cover, but suburbs west of us will be suffering the storms fury for months to come, as they try to have cars, rooves and solar systems repaired.

We are the lucky country, but we are also a land of extremes. Drought, fire and floods are never far away.

As I write, today's storms are brewing in the west. This radar image gives the appearance that this front will not repeat the storm of a week ago.

I would love to read your comment.

October, Exams and Jacarandas

 Thankfully I no longer have to worry about exams in October, but our senior school and university students know, that the arrival of the first purple colour means that it is time for some serious study.

This year the jacaranda colour has been exceptional. The Hungry Hikers on the evening of the 21st October, organised our 'walk' to be late afternoon to enjoy the Bloom Festival at the University of Queensland. The univesrity grounds and buildings are lovely at any time, but in October quite spectacular.

Our plan was to meet at 3.30 at the university, take a walk and then picnic with cheese and bubbles, beneath a spreading jacaranda. At 6pm the trees were to be illuminated and at 7pm a light show, set to music of one of the students.

Alas, the first of our lovely 'spring' storms arrived as we were all driving to our destination. A few frantic mobile calls had the plan changed to meet at Margot's, who lives across the river, but quite close to the uni.

Thankfully, by 5pm, all the rain had passed and we took the walk across the Eleanor Schonel, bus and footbridge, to Bloom.

Just outside the Grand Court there were flowering gums and a multitude of parrots were feasting.

My friend Jocelyn told me of having accidently found the best street of jacarandas in Brisbane, Pring Street, Tarragindi. Of course I had to find them as well. It was a week of storms and the previous evening's accompanying wind, created a carpet of colour beneath the trees.

With just 10 new and traceable cases of Covid a day in Australia, our state borders are now opening. I invited Jocelyn to join me at the family farm of Lochiel outside Kyogle, across the border and a 2 hour drive from here. My Grandfather and Great Grandfather took up a selection in 1901. An avenue of jacarandas were planted along the driveway to the house. I have seen them looking senational, but maybe age is catching up with them, as on our visit, there was hardly a splash of colour. We weren't too early for them as the new growth of leaves was already coming through. There had also been a storm just prior to our arival.

A tad disappointing, but it is always wonderful to spend time at Lochiel, and there was plenty of purple to be found whereever we drove.

I look forward to reading your comment.