Spring heat wave in Melbourne

Melbourne has done it again - a heatwave in November. The last week we have had above 30 degrees C weather. The change has been lightning fast - almost wintry one day and heatwave the next. The forecast for the next few days shows no real relief in sight - Friday 31, Saturday 34, Sunday 31, a cool Monday 27 (wait this will change upwards), Tuesday 28 and Wed 33.
So it was fortuitous that the air conditioning was put in. With a guest staying upstairs, the house has now absorbed the outside heat and is lovely and warm in the early morning, and hot as hell by 6pm. At least the heat dissipates later in the evening unlike during January/February when its still >30 after midnight and sleep is almost impossible.
My water bill arrived yesterday - higher than last year - not entirely certain why but probably more showers particularly as we had to put one of our old shower heads back on (instead of the water saving one) as the kids were complaining of not getting enough flow or cold water only. This would almost be acceptable now but not during September.
And I am still waiting, impatiently, for my Solar Power panels to be installed!! Frustrating to have the delay when there are new installations sprouting on roofs all around me. I went for a walk last Friday and spotted another 6 houses in a small area with the panels.When am I going to get satisfied?? I don't know says the company, they're really, really busy. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

Harvest time

In Melbourne, I find that this is the best harvest time for the garden. At this time of year the vegie garden is producing lots of good stuff, from peas, cauliflower, broccoli, lettuces, asian greens and almost broad beans. These last plants are so tall the recent wind has caused a sizeable lean.
My freezer is now home to 8 cauliflowers and the family is getting sick of cauliflower soup. The heads have been large and pretty free of insects which makes processing them easier.
The lawn has grown lush and rank with weeds. However, there will be several sizeable brown spots due to the ongoing saga of tree cutting following the August storm. Hopefully we will be able to move the 2 stumps out of the way this weekend, plant another couple of native trees and back fill with the leaves of the fallen trees as a coarse mulch. That way the recent reasonable rain can do its magic in the dry soil.
None too soon as the Weather men predict an unusually fine weekend. Melbourne at this time of year often fools one into thinking summer is on its way. In a couple of weeks time it will probably throw a last frost or two.
How is your garden faring?