Annie's Blog

We could be forgiven for feeling as if we are underwater... After what is now being called the hottest summer on record in Australia, and then after probably nearly a record,  very wet February,  we are now expecting even more rain for the weekend, in SE Queensland!!! We could be forgiven for going a little "troppo". A term usually reserved for the craziness that results from waiting in the extreme heat for the wet season to arrive in the tropics. Perhaps what we are experiencing might better be termed "cabin fever". Well, I guess we haven't been quite confined to barracks continually since Australia Day the first at the end of January,  but the prospects of even more rain doesn't seem to be terribly exciting anymore. From one who loves the wet season normally. ;-( It must sound even worse for those whose homes or businesses or lives have been affected by the rain and floods more than once since then...some of them even three times!!!...

One advantage of the weather lately has been admiring the various blooms .. these irises were looking quite delightful on Sunday... the birds like to come out of the rain I love listening to them as they warble happily away. this magpie was quite happy sitting there yesterday as I took several photos of him  quite a nice sunset last night didn't really indicate the rain that was to come today the butcher bird was happy to take refuge today and similarly warbled a song for me thanks for coming little fellow... sorry I had to use the flash to get a nice photo of you, promise I won't do it again! pop in again tomorrow, I think the rain will still be here, according to the forecast. hopefully the low might be passing by us faster than they were predicting.  Unfortunately we don't really need the rain after the last lot a few weeks ago of 16 inches.  Oh well, what's another couple of inches after that many? I just hope it doesn't fl...

I saw this bird at tennis the other day, come and sit on the wire while we were having a cuppa. I am so glad I had my camera with me. Please click to enlarge , especially the second one! I think it might be a butcher bird.

This post and the one below, are some very imperfect images that come from the televised National Day of Mourning on Sunday in Melbourne. It was held to remember the 210 people who lost their lives in the tragic bush fires in the last few weeks in Victoria. Please keep their families and friends in your prayers, especially as the weather heats up again this week. I was very heartened that a little bird came and sat on the seat outside for the beginning of the service...nice to have moral support, and perhaps it also came to remind me of all the wildlife that has been lost too! Along with the Prime Minister, clergy of all faiths and denominations were there to pass messages of love and consolation. Thank you for coming to share a part of MY WORLD this week. There are a few more images in the next post as well! If you would like to see other contributors from around the world, please click HERE There was a new fire last afternoon evening that threatened new areas of Melbourne. An area th...

I have been out in the garden in the last few days...in the cooler hours of the day...that's before 9am and after 6pm...admiring the garden...the buckinghamia (ivory curl) .... well, mainly doing the edges...a job overdue! the frangipani flowers hang on for a bit longer...the rain seems to have disappeared ..here at least! Not up north. By the sound of it, there is 60% of the state under flood! The other night in the middle of the night, I could hear plunking noises outside the window...not rain..not the possum. I realised that there must be some seeds on the fan palm outside. Next day I looked up..yes! also the asparagus fern is doing likewise! Ah, that looks better....don't you think? So while I listened to the gorgeous little butcher bird singing outside I had a cup of Chai and some morning tea! And sent some emails, played some scrabble, and tried to cool off! [I had to get that shot of the bird , by hanging out the window and pointing upwards]!!