Summer?

Summer in Australia is all about the smell of smoke in the air, a hot westerly sucking the life out of you, scalding your feet on the blistering road, the sound of crashing surf, getting sand between your toes, the deafening roar of cicadas, a 38 deg Christmas day and the big southerly buster bringing welcoming rain.

The only common thing to an English summer is the word itself. As some of you may have heard we are suffering from one of the wettest summers on record. There has been severe flooding in the midlands (about an hours drive north of us) with some houses submerged under 2m of water. Luckily for us we have missed the worse part of the rain and even have a little bit of sunshine this morning.

So what is summer really like here.

As the last of the spring bulb disappear, the garden becomes less colourful but with more shades of green. Green dominates the landscape from the lush pastures to the dark green trees that still remain interspersed between the urban footprint. One thing that has managed to win the battle is the overgrown hedges that expand out across the narrow lanes in a desperate attempt to consume any passing vehicle.

But where the more flamboyant daffodils and tulips have settled in to their hibernation, the wildflowers make a subtle but still spectacular entrance. With shades of purple, pink and white pastel, their delicate flowers dot the landscape like an artist would paint a watercolour. There may not be the noise of cicadas but an abundance of insect life emerges - butterflies, damselflies, dragonflies – and most noticeable the large bumble bees.

Despite the rain and clouds, many still brave the beach, all wrapped up in jackets and wind breaks. The ocean is empty apart from the lone dog braving the cold water. The other telling point that you know summer is here is the long days with the sun only deciding to call it a night after 10.00pm and the children still bouncing off the ceiling not wanting to go to bed.

I must admit I am missing the warmth but it is early days yet. You never know – Summer may still occur on at least one day in August.