The city is bloomin’ wonderful. Everywhere I turn I find splashes of purple, yellow, red and fiery orange which are just a delight. Walking in the park I look up to see this tree in full bloom half captured in the light.

I have retrieved my pots – here they are ! Thank you Nick.

I am also missing the animals in Africa but have plenty to put in their place not least the mighty Sid who made an appearance last week. Most of you were horrified and I really don’t blame you, but they have their own place in Oz wildlife and city life. I cannot live a life in fear but I can live a cautious one. In the botanical gardens I came across this slithery eel and a duck that was insistent on walking all over him. It can be done. I was a witness to its audacity.

The ground is dry. Parched.The leaves fall like rain -dejected, dead, dried. And yet all you need to do is look up and there is splendour everywhere. Hope springs eternal is not without its literal significance. We are fearful of the summer to come, but hoping for days like these as well.

Even bare the trees are offering me something unusual. Mike socks on trees ?