My head knows that the seasons here in Tasmania are back to front from my UK background. So I’m posting this monthly series to record the changing seasons and to
encourage my mind to grasp this southern hemisphere reality.
January is full on summer. Schools on holidays for the whole month. People out on the beach. The month began with New Year fireworks, and is ending with heavy rain, thunder storms, flash floods. The first serious rainfall in months, desperately needed.
Bush fires have been burning for two and a half weeks. Our local “firies” are being assisted by fire crews from interstate and from New Zealand. Recent rain did not help the fire situation, in fact it hindered road access to the remote areas under fire, it grounded aircraft that have been water bombing. Lightening strikes started new fires.
As a contrast to the serious natural incidents this month, January has been full of festivals and festivities. Food and drink at “The Taste of Tasmania”, music and art at “MONA FOMA”, yarn bombing a town for a folk festival and Australia Day celebrations.
January has been walks on the beach, cricket matches, yacht races and regattas.
Roses are having a second show.
Bougainvillea are stunning.
Jasmine are full of scent and flowers of all colours are complimenting the fruit trees.
Apples, plums, lemons, blackberries, olives, fresh herbs in the gardens and still plenty of soft fruit at the markets.
Vines are heavy with grapes in the local vineyards.
Agapanthus are fading while flowering gums are blooming.
Does anyone know that these flowers are?
The Sandy Bay Regatta is one of the world’s longest running regattas, now in it’s 168th year. It originated with sea farers testing their skills against work mates. Today, sports on the river are still a main attraction, along with beach and field activities.
