Four seasons in one day

One thing of which Melburnians are proud is the weather - Syndeysiders have no weather, I hear, just endless sun. And no seasons, whereas Melbourne gives you all four seasons in one day, every day! ("Four seasons in one day" is a catchphrase, like "world's most livable city.") Sure enough, in the time it's taken me to write this the wet grey out the window gave way to blue sky on the horizon, then sun lit up the window frame, and now ... fades, the blue patch in the sky vanished. Dressing in this city is all about layers, many thin ones (like cross country skiing) rather than a few thicker ones, and cardigans with their ease of opening and shutting and half-opening will never go out of fashion. Happily humidity is low!

Today we've actually had what passes for precipitation in these days of drought, enough to mottle and briefly darken the ground! But the parched fields around Shepparton (north of the map as far again as Seymour), remain dry as dust. (Ah, but some of it might dribble on Shepparton, which you can see in this bigger, animated and regularly updated map.) And while I have your attention, do notice what a lovely natural harbor Melbourne boasts.

And allow me to say that, four seasons in one day notwithstanding, I am feeling great autumn withdrawal. My heart aches as friends and family describe walks in woods radiant in gold and red, and I picture buttoning up a coat, wrapping around a scarf, and thrilling at the wind's promise of colder times to come, when you'll be able even to see through the trees.

Which isn't to say, though, that I don't follow all the other residents of Melbourne to the sunny side of the road when the sun does show!