Purple Rain

We've been blessed.

For the last seven days we've had rain in varying quantities. Some days just light showers and other days more substantive amounts of H2O have been deposited on this barren land. Today it has rained all day, from morning til night. I reckon we've had 50mm, which is massive for the region.

Everyone is chuffed to bits and hopes we get plenty more. In the time we've been here I can't remember it raining for two consecutive days and, until today, I've never known it rain for an entire day.

The drought is of big concern all over Australia and we've got it worse than most. Lake Hume dropped to as low as 20% full, following this summer. When we're driving around the countryside my workmate Marty points out to me where the edge of the lake used to be and it beggars belief. The water's edge is literally miles away from where it should be. The land has reclaimed the land.

It's funny, I hated the persistent rain back home - it's one of the reasons we're here. But now, like the natives, I welcome it's presence and understand it's importance in our lives and livelihoods.

Hopefully the purple patch we're in at present will continue and, once again, Lake Hume and the mighty Murray River will be returned to their former glories.