In the summer time the predicted temperatures dictate how our days unfold. It is preferable to do almost everything in the cool of the morning. Failing to plan work around the cooler parts of the day can actually be quite irresponsible.
Our days start with checking troughs and tanks to make sure our sheep and cattle have water and that there haven’t been any mishaps overnight to upset the watering systems. Our children are getting to an age where they can help with this important task.
The earliest part of the morning is also preferable for sheep work. Sheep, sheep dogs and humans all perform better before the sun gets too fierce. The sun rising in the dust is a bonus for me, although perhaps not everyone notices the beauty in it.
In the later part of the morning I try to visit the vegetable garden. My patch is still shaded at this time of the day and I can water, clean dripper lines and harvest before these normally fun tasks become plain old hard work.
At the end of the day we try to head towards one of our dams for a swim. When it is 45°C even the odd leech isn’t enough to stop us abandoning our hats and boots while the sun sets on another day.
Where else would you rather be? Personally, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.
Are you planning your days around the weather?
Are you noticing the pretty light and beauty, even in the most extreme conditions? I hope so.
Happy Friday, friends x
Robin Follette
I almost feel a little warmer being here. I do indeed plan my days around the weather right now. Today's high was 10°F, and it's been breezy all day. I took warm water to the ducks and chickens when the sun rose, and early this afternoon took the dogs out to romp in the snow. They weren't ready to come in but I was chilled. It's one of those days that make getting warmed up difficult. Have a dip in the pond for me!
Jane S
Oh, stay warm Robin! Thanks for calling in!
Kate @ Kate Writes
Yes those scorchers certainly mean having a plan to get things done don't they?! I hope you are enjoying the cool change x
Jane S
It is an amazing change isn't it Kate? x
Chookyblue......
I share your beauty of the early hours…….yes our work days have been planned around the heat here too………spent a couple of arvos with visitors at the dam………..the kids had so much fun………..so much nicer today with the change in weather……….
Jane S
Enjoy the change Chooky! Thank you.
Anonymous
Lovely as always. I do so adore your photos and writing. I live in the desert in the NT, so our garden looks similar and we spend the day chasing shadows too.
Jane S
Thank you so much, so lovely to hear from you. Please be brave and tell me your name!
Anonymous
I really enjoy the regular posts and seeing the world from your perspective. We have had a lot of wet weather here in the Blue Mountains of NSW, but each day holds it's own beauty.
Your blog is one of my favourites,
Michelle
Jane S
Thank you so much Michelle, that is a beautiful comment. Please call in again and have a lovely weekend.
Kate
Wow Jane, your photos are INCREDIBLY beautiful!!!
We had a run of hot days where we worked early mornings and then again at night until dark. But now things have changed and it's cool all day again which is kinda good and kinda exhausting because we are running around like crazy without a break. xx
Jane S
Oh you are so kind Kate. It is the same here…it has cooled down and we are wearing jeans and jumpers early in the morning. I cannot believe how quickly it can change x
celia
Beautiful post, Jane! The sun makes the dust look magical! You have such a wonderful perspective on what I know is a great deal of hard (but very rewarding) work! xxx
Jane S
SO lovely to hear from you Celia! x
Anne
It's about 1C with a bitterly wind this morning so the thought of having a dip in our pond isn't very appealing! At about 4 in the afternoon the sun starts to dip, casting beautiful light through the windows on the west side of the house, highlighting all the imperfections in the old glass (and the dirt).
Fabulous shots of the sun shining through the tree. I love sharing a little of your day – thank you Jane.
Jane S
I can just imagine that pretty light in your windows Anne. Stay warm. Your comments are always so encouraging.
acoastalplot
Ah, I do love seeing into your world Jane. There's an icy north wind here today and it was a minus temperature when I walked the dog earlier. Brrr. Your beautiful photos are helping me to thaw out. Have a great weekend and enjoy your afternoon swims 🙂 Sam x
Jane S
Thank you Sam, stay warm! x
Zena
Australians need to see more of the hard work that Farmers endure especially in the outback. The sunrise photos are stunning. Well deserved break in the dam. It's been raining, raining raining, then hot and freezing cold today. Typical Snowy Mountains weather!
Jane S
Our weather is crazy isn't it Zena! Thank you for your kind comments as always x
Jodie
A beautiful glimpse into your life during the hottest part of the year Jane. The January heat always seems to catch me by surprise as the temps sour up to 50'C for days on end. Thankfully there are places to go to cool off and your dam looks like the perfect spot. xx
Jane S
Thank you Jodie, I hope you are getting some slightly cooler days right now. It is certainly cooler here, comparatively! x
Say Little Hen
Absolutely stunning images of the sheep work Jane! They are perfect!
Getting things done before the heat is definitely important in this whether, particularly when it comes to stock and plants. I'm having trouble squeezing in the time to train Bambi on the sheep at the moment due to the heat, and there is already so much to do in the morning, and most afternoons it doesn't cool off until the sun goes down.
Happy Saturday!
Sarah x
Julie Bernard
Hello ! Thank you so much for yours beautiful articles and pictures.
What a fabulous life you have, not easy at all really, and so exotic for me. Il leave in France (Alsacia) near Germany, it's cold 0°c and less those next days, but I have a confortable flat, it's 21°c inside.
We have snow, so it's very different.
Have good time too.
almostitalian
The light is beautiful in your early morning shots Jane and it is wonderful to see the children helping. It is the best time of the day really. Your garden looks healthy and the sheep scenes so evocative of the land we love.
We have one rogue of a Dexter cow – young Dougie- who keeps jumping the fence and escaping, but then jumps back to be with the herd. He is heavy and yet as light as a kangaroo- no fence deters him!!!
katiecrackernuts
That light. I was just saying to my partner that we need to head west. We love it out there – love it here by the coast too – but we're from the country and I've been missing that light, and that dry heat. This humidity is about to do me in.