Yesterday, Saturday, was midwinter’s day here in Canberra.

In times past I used to wish everyone a happy Inca new year on this day, really because I felt we ought to make more of mid winter here in the southern hemisphere.

The last few years tho’ we haven’t been in Canberra for midwinter so this kind of fell into abeyance. However this year we were, and we had a distinctly chilly barbecue in the backyard to celebrate.

However, while it might have been chilly, it’s been a warm winter so far – hardly any frost or fog, with the result that the nasturtiums are still blooming away – normally they’re over and done by the middle of May – and our winter greens are growing away madly.

So, while it’s midwinter, it doesn’t yet feel like solstice time. However, it’s still good to feel the warmth of the sun and know that every day will be a little longer …