Rain, Glorious Rain

It is still raining. For the last two weeks we have had fantastic rain. An inch last week, two and a half inches during the week, and judging from the rain gauge attached to a vineyard post I can see from my window as I write, it looks like we have had another three inches since Friday.

We have been in drought since 2001. The last time I remember the lucern flats by the river flooding was when Angus was a baby. Sure, we have had some good rain and storms over the past nine years, but in order for a drought, especially one of this magnitude, to break it is not just a matter of good rain, but good timing. The reality is we need months of good soaking winter rain to come anywhere near breaking this drought. The rain we have been getting in the past few weeks is just what we need through winter. But some of the old farmers in town are in high spirits (farmers are realists but also optimists - you have to be in this business!) saying this rain may herald a new, better, wetter decade.

But even though it is too early to declare an end to the drought, the immediate effects of this rain are, for the most part, positive. Our tanks are full - overflowing in fact - and this is a blessing given we ran out of rainwater a few weeks ago and have been using bore water to wash in and buying drinking water in.

We are not harvesting fruit this year, but the vineyards trying to pull fruit off at the moment will be finding the rain a probelm. Not only is it difficult to harvest in the rain, but the rain and humidity cause disease to flourish on the vines and within 24 hours the rain can reduce the sugar levels in the fruit and delay harvest. But rain is generally good, and no-one is really complaining.

The country side is verdant. Of course, if you look closely you will see most of the green is made up of noxious weeds such as "cat-heads" and "khaki weed" - but the psychological effects of being surrounded by green as far as the eye can see are significant.

Of course, we have had periods of green over the last decade. The odd rain and the spring seasons all bring green. But the kind of green that comes from weeks of soil soaking  rain is different altogether.

And the sky! For the past three days it has been a lovely silver grey. A sky filled with rain clouds set in for the long haul, not just a fleeting thunderstorm. My spirits are soaring!

I ordered wellies for everyone on-line last night. Jamie says that's tempting fate but I am not in the least bit superstitious - so bring on the wellies!!!!!

I'm going to put on another guilt-free load of washing!