We’ve had a wet, wet winter and the best for years and our catchments are 57% full up from 28% this time last year.  In fact they’ve risen 15% in one week alone and that’s wet.  Last week, one of my readers asked if the drought was over and I said you can never be too optimistic with my half empty glass opinion.

Well, my opinion might change after tomorrow.  The TV and papers are full of these warnings and looks like the biggest downfall in 12 years is about to descend upon us.

When the cow cockies start complaining, you could safely say the drought is over.

After about 130 consecutive days over 20c which is another all time record, old man weather decided it was time to turn the heater down to 16c and also toss in some howling winds and a little rain for good measure.

So it was under the house to turn on the gas central heating pilot light and get the chill off the place as the temperature hovered around 13c most of the morning.  I love living in tee shirts and shorts but it was now time for the dreaded fleece, trackie dacks and mockies.  We can’t complain about summer this year as it’s been very mild and no heatwaves thank goodness.  Back into the low 20’s again later in the week so we might be able to squeeze in a final swim.

It’s sad when I only have the weather to chat about, but don’t despair, more interesting stuff coming soon. 

Sorry to sound like a broken record again but we’ve had 56mm of rain over the last two days and rain like that is most welcome in this dry and parched country.  Tell that to the Banana Benders up north who have had no rain to speak of in years and now far more than they can handle.  In fact, they have broken records too and their floods cover an area the size of the UK (that’s 1% of Texas) and their reservoirs and dams are somewhat full.

Some of that moist air in the upper atmosphere has been sweeping south and responsible for a heap of thunderstorms down our way.  28mm fell in half an hour on dusk last night and we had a river from the overflowing street gutters running down our path as it headed on it’s natural course to the lake.  Fortunately we had some serious drainage works done a few years back but the intlet to the storm water a couple of doors down was blocked and it overflowed into a neighbours garage and garden.  However, the storms in Melbourne have caused far more damage.

I was out in the deluge last night checking on things including the fish pond, which was fortunate, because it was starting to overflow and 13 little Nemo’s were about to join their cousins in the lake.  Most of the heavy stuff has passed now and we’ve had a very pleasant morning.

Hold on, what’s that thumping on the roof?  Not more bloody rain!  Better get the camera……………..