All signs point to autumn

A few weeks ago, it was difficult to believe that summer would ever come to an end. Bright mornings, soaring temperatures and, incredibly, one hundred days without rain all suggested that Perth would be soaking up the sun for the foreseaable future. The last seven days, however, are evidence enough that the seasons are changing. We’re currently experiencing longer spells between heatwaves, and even they are less overwhelming than they’ve been in past months. A few days under 30 degrees are even making an occasional appearance!

Of course, the changing climate does have some advantages. The part of the transition from summer to autumn that has the most impact on me is the fact that the sun rises a little later and sets a little earlier each day. Instead of squinting straight into the sun on my eastbound morning ride to work, leaving the house just before the sun comes up at 6am produces sights like the one below. While I’m on the subject of cycling, starting the working day with a 10k cycle works wonders for waking me up and I’d definitely carry it on at Bath if there wasn’t a ridiculous hill in the way. Everyone at work is joking that the cooling temperatures will be a relief for a “pom that can’t stand the heat”, but the truth is I’ve become accustomed to and learned to love the scorchers!

There's nothing quite like a sunrise over the Swan to start the day

The main downside, as a beach bum, is naturally the reduction in the number of days where a sunbathing session is feasible. In addition to this, the Fremantle Doctor (the name the locals give to the sea breeze that blows up the river every afternoon) has transformed from welcome respite to cyclist’s nemasis. A few rides home have felt like pedalling into treacle and I’m ashamed to say that I even caught the bus one day last week due to wind-induced fatigue. The fact that it's dark by 6:30pm is also pretty depressing; a little reminiscent of my two winters at Truro College, where the 1:45h bus journeys meant that we didn't see daylight at home during the week.

I experienced the full extent of this changing weather for the first time today. After a cool yet sunny morning run along the coastline (I appear to have been signed up for the Bath half marathon next year, but that’s a topic for another time), I spent the morning treating myself to a bit of retail therapy, then returned home to watch the Dockers game. There’s another case of time flying for you; I wrote about the Dockers reaching the grand final of the Aussie Rules Football League back in September… the next season is now well underway. Anyway, I had just got out of the shower, ready for some stretches in the garden, when an absolute downpour started. I’ve forgotten what rain looks like! It’s almost like being back home… oh well, at least the garden's happy!