On the cusp

After the morning coffee today there was a hard decision to make: garden for a couple of hours, or get out for a decent walk before the weather turned to custard.

Bean and the walk won out.

The photo was taken as we walked up the hill just as the cold southerly change arrived overhead.

The lower more feathery cloud to the right of the shot was coming in from the south (right to left). The remaining clouds were higher and still blowing from the west (roughly left to right). We were right on the cusp of the change.

I timed the walk to perfection. We walked up the hill in the sun. As we reached the top the cold southerly wind kicked in. The cloud cover had increased to 100% by the time we were at the bottom of the hill again, but there was no sign of snow or rain, so we carried on to Paradise Gully Road - and only turned for home when we met the flood in the road still making it impassable on foot.

As I opened the gate back at home the first drops of rain fell. Bean felt a single drop on her back and sprinted for shelter. I messed about digging leeks, gathering eggs and a few other things, but heavier icy rain drove even me indoors, and we have spent most of the rest of the day snug and warm, with just a few brief forays outside.

The highest temperature for the day? 5C

More rain, sleet and then snow is forecast before we get up tomorrow. And yet more for Monday and Tuesday. I do love winter… once it’s over.