Over the past couple of weeks we have had our first two frosts of the year. Today is overcast, a few drops of rain fell earlier and the weekend forecast is for proper rain. As the drought has been biting hard here - Tamworth, north-western New South Wales - for a couple of years, this rain will be very welcome!

Apart from drought, and water restrictions (we aren't allowed to use town water outside for any purpose at all, no car washing, definitely no watering of gardens although some of us sneak a few occasional drops onto cherished potted plants) life here in the Small Smoke is great.