Winter creeps up!

Winter is creeping up. We have lit the fire a few evenings now as there have been some VERY chilly winds roaring about.
Unfortunately these winds dry the ground out even more, and we have had no rain for about 7 weeks in this area. So the last few days we have been watering our new trees and putting a pile of mulch round them to keep them snug around their roots, or even their boots!!
We are considering putting in a new wood burner. The one here is a very ancient, Chinese stove, possibly 80 years old. The doors don't shut properly and the vents don't work either. So the logs quickly burn up and leave a pile of very fine white ash. Even if you stoke it up late at night, it still doesn't last through,, though the warmth is just there. As the house is wooden and not any insulation in the walls or floor, it does get pretty nippy.
I remember when I first came to Australia I was very surprised to see flannelette sheets, warm pyjamas and slippers in the shops. I couldn't imagine it being cold enough to need that sort of thing; but unfortunately it is. The day times can still be warm and sunny with breakfast on the veranda ( a late brekki!), but once the sun goes down, on come the warm clothes and the soup goes on to the stove. I then start to think, ' Oh , it must be Christmas soon.' No chance, there aren't even any more public holidays now until the real Christmas time - just one long slog!
There are plants flowering still, like the bourgainvillia in the picture behind Rannoch and Jasper. Though they look like a 2-headed hound!

Hello, hello! Long time no see!!

Such a long time since I wrote on this Blog! Sorry to all my loyal fans!!!!!! Anyway I have had an unexpected month in England due to my mother's death. It was a moving experience, as I was mostly staying in her home to sort things. I felt very close to her as I read things from past years she had written and also finding letters which I had written home from my college days in the 60s!
I was a wonderful chance to catch up with the family and especially to see the 2 grandchildren, finding how much they have grown and to renew our friendships.
Now from the slightly chilly days of tentative spring to the same of autumn back at home in Australia. It is very dry, but ideal weather in which to start clearing up the garden. Also to cut the logs for winter fires, we have had 2 already. The skies are very luminous and clear as the evening draws in at about 5.45pm. The roos are about searching for some tucker; stars are beginning to peep out ready for their nightly show, and it can be very still and beautiful.