Cyclones as we call them here in Australia are shaped very like a galaxy I noticed looking at the Bureau of Meteorological‘s radar … this from earlier in the day
And that shape explains why, in various places maybe 11 kilometres from the coast, all we’ve been having is the effects of the various arms of the spiraliing cyclonic system.
Just a bunch of fairly light rain and wind at first, slowly increasing in strength, up to now at 8 pm, when it’s really raining, not just drizzle blowing in the wind.
Some of you may know that South East Queensland and Northern NSW are expecting Tropical Cyclone Alfred imminently, a category 2 system at present. Crossing the coast some time this evening.
Some of you reading this are in it with me with horizontal rain on the coast since early this morning. It’s 2.30 pm at mine with a blustery wind and gappy rain resembling buckets of water thrown into the wind every so often.
I thought I was as prepared as I could be but my lovely son just brought me a camping torch lantern, a water bucket with tap, and a small camping stove.
And then he carried all my outdoor furniture and delicate plants inside , all of that stored into the spare room.
Finally, to finish off his visit, he clipped Moggy’s nails.
Spare room …. indoors I have the citrus (a branch broken already) and the velvet leaf kurrajong. Also a maidenhair fern and a bonsai fig.
Balcony left side ….
Balcony right side …
All the plants remaining outside are meant to be whippy and flexible, three figs and a millaa millaa scrambler. We’ll see how they go.
Doors are still open, wind is from the east so glances past my balcony from the left.
The first day of the westerly winds? If it is, then they are about two weeks earlier than expected.
In the past it was the August Westerlies people talked about. The coldest weeks of the year. The westerly winds come straight from the mountains picking up the scent of snow and ice crystals and frost.
Rita de Heer 