Winter on the island

Being an island the direction of the wind dictates if you are cold or warm.  On this island at this time of year the winds blow in from the South, off the snow fields and sometimes all the way from Antarctica.  I have a wonderful view facing south down the bay but it can get very cold, so I 'rug up' when going for a walk.  I like to walk down to the shop near the Ferry Jetty (the only shop) with the dog and buy a coffee.  If it isn't too cold I will see if Adele is awake for a chat, (she lives on her boat)

if not I get behind a tree and drink my coffee and look at the view.  (This morning I tripped and splashed coffee all over my woollen sweater!)

At this time in the morning (8am) the second wave of computers catch the ferry, (the early morning ones go at 5am).

If they are early they saunter, if late they sprint down the jetty.  This is also the time for the Primary School children to catch their ferry.  Parents all meet in the shelter shed and take them, as a group, to the ferry.  The school bus meets them on the other side.

I try not the catch this ferry because the noise is terrible!!  (It's the same level, if not higher on the 3:30pm ferry.)

There has been an explosion of new residents since Covid.  It used to be mainly elderly residents who had retired to the island but now there are a lot more young families.  It makes for a great mix and there are always lots of baby sitters on hand.

This is the time of year that flowers and trees bloom.  Because we have had a cold spell the Daphne bushes are all in flower and you can smell the perfume from a block away.

If there are no blooms to pick I buy a bunch of roses from Aldi.  The last lot didn't make it home, all the stems broke during the bus ride home.  Still, I managed to rescue one bud.

As we move into August I know the Westerly Winds will come next and the 'Ekka'.  Then it will warm up again and bring the sand flys and mozzies but for now I am really enjoying this cold weather.

 

Comments

[Rachel]

Proximity to the sea affects the weather quite a lot doesn't it!

[Carolyn Foley]

It sure does.

[Queenie Patch]

I can just imagine how sweet the Daphnes smell. The Japanese version perfumes the neighbourhood in early spring.