Swelling Buds

The western slopes of hills, gullies and dips, shaded areas where the sun had not reached, and even the rooves of some houses, were white with frost this morning.

On my way up I dropped off a bottle of wine, a Taylors Clare valley cab sav, and an old book I grabbed in haste, 'Exodus' by Leon Uris, at Lance and Fiona's. I wrote a card wishing Lance happy 40th birthday. Last week on my walk I met Fiona, she invited me to the party of last Saturday 4th July, but I didn't make it. The boys and I went to the footy that day to watch the Demons beat the Eagles in a rare victory this year. Lib didn't come, she had a relapse of the flu and stayed in bed. After a busy week and the footy I was too tired to take on a party.

I don't know if Lance and Fiona are wine drinkers but if not, the wine is a gesture of good cheer and will be handy one day when they entertain. I read 'Exodus' many years ago, more than ten, and enjoyed it, although I'd have to read it again to discuss it with someone. I like historical type narrative a la Uris/Michener. If Lance isn't a reader there's no harm done, maybe Fiona is, or he can pass it on. But what better than good wine and a good book as a gesture? I already have given them plenty of honey in exchange for the English box I've picked in their garden.

Another day of bright sunshine after the frost. The trees and gardens look happy after the 50ml plus of rain over the last week. We've been picking plenty of early prunus blossom, also japonica, the allspice was a treat, and hellabores are flowering. Melbourne's water storages have at last starting going up rather than down. All is well when it rains. Rain. The Quencher. Of thirst and parched landscape. The antidote of bushfires.

I was surprised on Sunday to see the swelling buds on the lilac trees. They seem so advanced. Last Friday in Glen Binstead's garden he said the same thing, when I went there to dig up suckers under a mauve lilac, after he'd offered them to me. I left them in a bag till Sunday when I potted them, and was pleased to have 25 in total. I put them next to the white ones I dug at Huit's last winter, which are ready to plant out. The buds are big and strong looking. All too soon the spring rush.