What do you like/dislike about the climate where you live?
The official version of the climate in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales, is mild and characterised by four very distinct seasons. The tourism people say much the same when advertising the coastal areas and wineries. They are diplomatically referring to three of the four seasons.
My favourite season is autumn, mainly because it’s a welcome relief after summer. We don’t have the lovely autumnal colours of the norther hemisphere, but the pleasant days and cool nights are, for me, the best.
Winter begins in June but it’s not until July and August that we begin to shiver. However, snow occasionally falls on the Barrington Tops and I’m convinced the icy winds aim straight for my house.
Late July into August we see the first wattle which means spring isn’t far 
away, and it is nice. This year the change from winter to spring happened virtually overnight. Last week we were shivering from awful cold August winds and today, 2nd September, it’s a lovely 23 degrees and a warm breeze. After the drought breaking rains fell last February, and continued through autumn and winter, the spring countryside is looking fabulous. Green everywhere, daisies popping up all over and my climbing rose is covered in yellow blooms.
I left summer until last because it’s my dislike. The climate and tourism people tell us the Hunter Valley average maximum temperatures between December and February range from about 27 degrees C (81F) along the coastline to 30 degrees C inland (86F) The climate and tourism people were sitting inside a fridge when they penned those figures. December’s temperatures, between high 20s and mid 30s are just warm-ups for what’s to come in January and February. Humid 30s to 40’s without much relief.
Last summer, during the worst fires in living memory, the Hunter Valley turned on a few 45 degrees days, just to remind us who was boss. The sun might have gone down at night, but I don’t think the temperature followed. You can see why autumn is my favourite season.
I’m three likes and one dislike, so I guess I am very fortunate – as long as I get can through summer.
What do you think?
Read the next blog in the blog hop by going here.
Perilous Love
The Proposition
The Woman Behind the Mirror
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I’m not a fan of summer, Jan, and I can see why you dislike it! I love autumn and (second) spring.
My favourite seasons