spring in the hunter

This weekend was the first that really felt like summer. It was hot and the air carried the smell of smoke from the preventative burns they have been doing in the western suburbs. The Husband and I both needed a change of scenery so we took a drive to the Hunter Valley. It was in full spring bloom - flowers everywhere. Lots of colour to photograph.

We took the long, winding way up, enjoying the view. I don't think I will ever get over the bizarre beauty of this country. Sometimes the scenery takes your breath away. Other times, it seems straight out of a Dr. Seuss poem.

Back to work this week, with the anticipation of a long weekend coming up. And it's The Husband's birthday, so we will have a little celebrating to do as well.

under the weather

I have yet another cold. And this one seems to have moved in for one of those long extended stays. It's packed a few suitcases and brought it's own pillow. It's not going anywhere. I am miserable. I hate having a cold. Especially now that the weather is warming up and starting to hint that summer might actually come sometime soon. Instead of getting out and enjoying it, I am huddling over a tissue box, coughing up a lung. (I love that expression! Just try and get that image out of your head!)

The good thing about having this cold is that I get to cancel all my training classes this week and spend some quiet time in the office. All my office mates are So Glad that I am sharing the whole "I've got a cold" experience with them.

I am including this picture only because it's the one thing inspiring me to leave the couch this morning.

picnic weather

Spent the most beautiful, hot & sunny day yesterday at Kurraba Point with some new friends. Spring is in the air and the sunshine is hot and delicious. I hope it's the first of many picnics to come this year!

wind

We took a wander down to Bondi last weekend for the Festival of the Winds. Bondi isn't my favourite beach in the summer - I find it too crowded and there is very little shade for those of us who can fry like an egg in 30 seconds flat. Also, it's pretty far from home and extremely hard (and expensive!) to find parking. But in cooler weather, Bondi is gorgeous. And as we are just starting our spring season here, we took advantage of a warm, sunny day to check out the kite festival.

There were hundreds of brightly coloured kites, all shapes and sizes. Beautiful against the blue sky and the ocean. So many interesting people to watch. I could have done an entire photo collage of funny dogs we saw on the boardwalk. (Might have to keep that in mind for the next time we go for a wander.)

It's so nice to have warmer weather and be able to get out and enjoy it on the weekends. Looking forward to some fun weekend plans in the coming weeks!

september

It's September again. Seems like I was just celebrating my 30th birthday, and here it is two whole years since. Time sure does fly. I always used to love this time of year in North America. September meant the end of summer, cooler weather, autumn holidays, and back to school.

The first two years we were here, I had a really hard time in September. I wanted it to be autumn, and it felt weird that it wasn't. But this year, I am so looking forward to spring. It's felt like a long winter here, and I am ready for some sunshine. Can't wait for beach weather, kayaking weather, and picnics by the ocean. Looking forward to snorkeling with The Husband too.

If you are in the northern hemisphere... what was your favourite part of summer this year? And if you are here down under... what are you most looking forward to this year?