Here in Hobart, May has been a month of autumn colours, frosty mornings, mild sunny days.

We have been given more freedoms as lockdown rules begin to roll back. We can go out more, travel further from our homes, more shops are open and cafes and restaurants can have up to ten people seated in addition to take away meals.

I took these photos of Hobart Waterfront. There are not usually so many fishing boats in port.

Therefore May has also been a mixed month, with a different feel today compared to the beginning of the month.

To occupy myself, I have knitted a couple of baby strawberry hats. Here is our granddaughter. When I posted this photo I had two orders so I’m still busy with red and green wool.

I saw this experiment so tried it for myself. Hot water in the middle of a circle of M&M’s creates a pretty rainbow. Yes I still ate the chocolates 🙂

And I have relaxed with this fascinating book.

As today is the last day of autumn I will close with this image of “the last leaf on the tree”.

This is my contribution to Su’s Changing Seasons challenge.

April has been a full month of lockdown. Hobart’s Salamanca Place is usually a bustling market on Saturdays, surrounded by popular cafes and bars. Now it is empty except for the drive through test centre.

I’m fortunate to still be working full time and work has been hectic, with some days in the office, others working from home. As well as formal Zoom meetings, our Deputy CEO organised a “Big Hello” meeting so colleagues from all three offices could meet online. Hats, backgrounds were optional as we waved at each other and said Hi. It was a fun ten minutes in a busy day.

“Time is like water, if finds its own level.” Away from work, some weekends have dragged, despite walks along local coastal paths. I painted some pebbles to leave along the pathway and benches for kids to find.

I’ve spent time in the garden, planting veggie seeds and seedlings, cabbage, radish, spring onions. We are harvesting carrots, rocket, spinach and I’m on my second jar of bean sprouts. Our olive trees have fruit.

On Monday 20th April, I noticed comments on Facebook that the Aurora Australis was putting on a show. One side of our balcony faces south, so I went outside with camera in hand. I was pleased to get a few reasonable photos of the green glow in the night sky.

I’ve drunk lots of tea and written more than usual in my diary. I have kept journals on and off for thirty years. I was happy to find new books in a local newsagent, that match earlier volumes.

We keep in touch with family and friends and I’ve enjoyed video chats and receiving photos of our grandkids.

I continue to feel inspired by “Action for Happiness” calendar and quotes. Here are just a couple from April.

Stay safe. This is my contribution to Su’s Changing Seasons challenge.