It just rains and rains…..until that is, we’re back in town! Sydney, along with much of south-eastern Australia from Brisbane to Melbourne has “enjoyed” its wettest year, capped off by its wettest October since records began in the 1850’s. And it’s all the fault of Nina….or La Niña to give this weather phenomenon its correct technical name. “La Niña typically increases the chance of above average rainfall for northern and eastern Australia during spring and summer”.

The weather for our first weekend back in town is warm and sunny. The TV weather announcer gleefully declares that this weekend is one of only 13 so far this year in Sydney to be rain-free! We’re told by everyone we meet that this is the best run of good weather that Sydney has enjoyed in months!

Probably won’t last….

But it mostly does! At least along the coast. After that first weekend in Sydney we fly to Brisbane, spend around a week in and around the city (including a side trip up the mountain to the Garden City, Toowoomba; and a day-trip South of the Border to Tweed Heads) before starting a week-long drive back to Sydney. We mostly avoid the worst of the rain and unusually cool temperatures and by the time we’re back the weather whilst still somewhat unseasonal doesn’t interfere with any of our plans

Benjamin, Kimberly and Bennett arrive in town to spend the Thanksgiving holiday week. It’s their first time back in five years and a chance to catch up with some of the Australian family and revisit remembered places. Bennett was particularly keen to go back to a rather creative and unusual children’s playground in Darling Harbour which had clearly made a lasting impression on him. And three visits there will only reinforce that memory!

Family gatherings aside, climbing the Harbour Bridge at twilight on Thanksgiving Thursday was a definite highlight. And we all passed the required breathalyzer test before the climb. Pretty unusual after Thanksgiving lunch!!