At some point during the past six-to-eight weeks, while I was busy not noticing things, autumn arrived. Last thing I remember, it was the end of summer and the heat was still oppressive but a handful of leaves had started to change colour and they felt like a promise, a promise of cooler, happier days.
Then a pea-soup fog of sleep deprivation and sickness settled over my head and I stopped seeing anything beyond that which was needed for survival each day. At one point I didn’t leave the house for an entire week. Meanwhile the season I love the most rolled in and on and through Melbourne, without me.
Today the fog lifted. Madeleine has been generous and given me three relatively good nights’ sleep in a row, and all I have left of my virus is an irritating occasional cough. The difference is incredible. It’s like the world is back and bigger and more beautiful than ever. Could it seriously have been here all along?
It turns out I missed watching most of the leaves turn orange and red; they skipped all the way to brown while I was in the fog. But they are still lovely. So, less than two weeks before the beginning of winter, I have at last managed to celebrate autumn.
After a two hour walk through the falling and fallen leaves, Madeleine and I stopped in at the Little Creatures Dining Hall on Brunswick Street for a big lunch and a rousing game of peek-a-boo with Madeleine’s toy keys. I’ve been subsisting on Vegemite toast for the past month, and I can tell you I ate ALL of this meal (apart from the bits Madeleine stole, mostly fries).
How beautiful is the autumnal woodland they created inside the dining hall for Good Beer Week? Lunch felt like a cosy forest picnic. With heaters.
Ohhhhh Naomi, your photos are incredible. I love autumn! I hope you’re feeling better x
Katherine recently posted…Little Discoveries
Thanks Katherine, so nice to be on the mend at last! I love autumn too
Gosh, I miss the Melbourne autumn. I was just thinking that…There is one tree changing colour in my sub-tropical garden. The air is chilly…but it’s so different. I loved that walk through your Melbourne autumn. I used to run around Princes Park and Carlton Gardens. So nostalgic. Please come visit my new website: mylittlesunshinehouse.com if you have the time. Zanni x
Zanni Louise recently posted…The Boys’
Zanni your website is beautiful! Hope you get to visit melbourne sometime soon and say hi to your old haunts.
Naomi, Thank goodness you’re back in the land of colour. I’m so relieved to hear you and your family are back in the outside world and ready for some winter action – your love for cold will kick your immune system back up no doubt! Looking forward to seeing you again soon. Madeline looks like she found Little Creatures so amusing – probably because she is one
I adore Little Creatures – how great are their play boxes of toys and books at the side of the hall at the back – my little one was striding through the beer drinks like she owned the place.
Pip recently posted…Spirit Boosters…
Thanks so much Pip, it’s good to be back! Yes we love that kids area too, with all the books and toys!
I’m so sorry you were in a fog of sleep deprivation and illness! But how wonderful to wake to a gorgeous autumn wonderland around you. Your photos are just stunning!
Thank you my friend. And I have been thinking of you too. I hope you feel much better soon!