On Monday I worked from home as Spider Boy had a cold. It was also time for his plaster to come off. Once we got home from the medical centre, I noticed for the first time that the branches on the trees outside our window are bare. I don’t know how long they’ve been that way. But as I stood by the window I thought, “Didn’t those trees have red leaves on them last time I looked?”

How could they have lost all their leaves so quickly? I thought back to Summer. I had to think hard. I found an image in the old brain files of a red and blue parrot playing peek-a-boo amongst the masses of green leaves on the same tree. Then the leaves had turned red. Now, it was leafless, and I didn’t even notice it happening.

Time just slips away, and before you know it we are halfway through the year. We’ve even passed the Winter Solstice (8.43am Tuesday 21 June, by the way).

As I mentioned, Spider Boy had his plaster removed this week. He still needs to wear a splint for three weeks while doing anything active. His skin was dry and flaky where the plaster had been. But when I went to cleanse and moisturise his arm with Cetaphil, the flakes had already disappeared. Tonight the skin on his arm looks like new.

It’s a new season, we are well into Winter. So I’m going to present some pictures of the last weeks of Summer, when we said goodbye to Sydney and began settling in to our new home in Canberra.

Click on the images to read the captions…

Making bath time fun.

Before Señorita Margarita visited in February she told me to find her a pool to swim in. Manuka Pool did the job nicely.

Civic groove, and he’s years away from his first coffee!

Summer chain store decor. Good, clean, cheap bathroom fun.

My last Sydney Summer Saturday night before moving to Canberra: cocktails and mayhem in the bars of Darlinghurst.

Hello Dobinsons, I’m back, baby, I’m back.

I love a flamingo… thanks Señorita Margarita for my birthday wrapping paper

Spider Boy’s new favourite place

Celebratory ice cream at San Churros, Woden.

Spider Boy’s farewell at Centennial Park, Sydney

California dreaming…

Shiny baubles in the display cabinet at Patissez, Manuka

Contemplating shelf-linings – it’s really contact paper. Having a decor identity crisis: French country, Palm Springs kitsch, Old Hollywood glamour, or Glam rock?

Some kind of gorgeous cocktail at Eau de Vie, Darlinghurst, before I left Sydney

Frolicking in a nearby forest

I don’t know your name, but I think I love you

A Sunday afternoon gelato decision at Cooleman Court.

A symphony of caramel, cream and other delectable goodies: the Freakshakes of Patissez, Manuka

My photo doesn’t do the Canberra sunsets justice

A gift from Spider Boy on our walk down to Woden plaza

I’ve always been one to celebrate any kind of achievement

of Spider Boys food of choice

The Canberra Show has everything you want in a show without the overwhelm.

The sun sets on our first day in Canberra

Fake grass means I live where the grass is greener

More edible art at Patissez, Manuka

Looking forward to all the adventures ahead!

Impatiens were blooming thanks to Dad’s planting on his first visit… Winter frost has killed this plant, but I have my memories!

Making a splash Art Deco style at Manuka Pool

Farewell with the family: Nutella pizza at Mange e Bevi, Rose Bay