No Flies

We had the loveliest summer. There was hardly a heat wave, few north winds, and enough rain to prevent gardens parching. It has continued through March, a month that often brings scorching heat after a hot summer and causes the earth to set like concrete and crack up. Everything is green and lush and when the sun shines like it did today you could be excused  if you thought we were in the Garden of Eden.

Mind you this is localized to the Dandenongs. In my travels through March I can say it it is exceedingly dry in northern Victoria and southern NSW, and in western Victoria and SE South Australia. Frighteningly so in the case of the latter. There must be so many farmers anxiously hoping for an autumn break.

But on my travels one thing has been obvious to me like never before in my recollection. I have had picnics in Canberra, Adelaide, on the banks of the Murray River, on the beach at Normanville, Christies Beach, Cape Jervis, and one thing has been notable at all these places, as well as when working back here at Gembrook daily.

There are no bush flies. Don't ask me why, I know not. Usually in summer and March there are flies all over you especially in South Australia, but besides on or two here and there, just no flies.

Weird.