What a difference a year makes...

Last year on this day the northern rivers region was in the grip of a mighty sub-cyclonic storm that caused much destruction; up-rooting trees, closing the Wollumbin walking track and the Barr Mountain walking track; and flooding local creeks and rivers. Our place was sheltered against the strong winds, and in fact we had no idea that we were in the midst of such damage, but 94.5mm of rain was dumped on us over most of the day. However, Julia (Shane), Hans, Steve and I made the most of it: baking chocolate chip cookies, watching movies, enjoying a drink or two in the hot tub....and playing a few rounds of nude bocce in the quieter precipitatory moments.
This time around it was quite different...the skies were sombre and heavy but only produced a measly 4mm. No winds, no flooding, no destruction today. Just a nice mild drizzly day to end a lovely three day break.  And, after Glen and Julia had left this morning, it was just me at home.
However,  there was one similarity to last year. A big carpet python made a meal of one of our girls last night and the same thing happened last year on the 25th January, possibly by the same snake. It has not moved very much all day and won't be able to leave the Chookery for a few days yet. It's of course way too big now to squeeze its way out of the holes in the wire mesh, so I will need to shepherd it out once it starts to get active again.