The difference a week makes. Just over a week ago we were in the midst of seemingly endless bushfires and drought. It has now been raining heavily for several days. Believe it or not a lot of the bushfires are still burning, but ay least they're under control.

Dam levels have increased for once, but the main dam is still under 44%. Still, it's progress.

The strong, wet onshore winds haven't deterred everyone from hitting the water; I saw this one lone swimmer braving the rock pool that sits between the beach and the ocean. Although it looks like he is beckoning the waves to take him away to the tranquility of a watery resting place (well, maybe not so tranquil today with onshore winds gusting to 40 km/h at times)... he is in fact doing a backstroke. Swimming, not drowning.