The Changing Seasons – Sydney: May

May in Sydney this year has been warm, dry and sunny. As changing seasons go, autumn is looking a lot like summer!

Smoke gets in your eyes (and your hair, and your lungs, and your drying laundry … )

Hazard reduction smoke blankets Sydney

Sydney is flanked on three sides by national parks (and an ocean on the fourth), which means a LOT of trees — which all pose fire dangers during hot, dry summers. So in autumn and winter, “hazard reduction” is carried out. On the day I took these shots around the harbour, the pre-emptive fires were in the Blue Mountains, some 125 km (80 miles) to the west. A weather phenomenon called an ‘inversion’ helped to keep the smoke sitting over the city.

It did make for days of glorious sunsets and sunrises, and interesting skies.

Smoky skies over the harbour bridge, 3pm

Hunters Hill Arts Festival

Festival of Art

My goal on the smoky May Saturday was an arts festival in Hunters Hill, the smallest local government area in Metropolitan Sydney. Founded in 1861, it is one the oldest European-settled areas on the north side of the harbour and retains a number of large and impressive stone mansions. For the past 60 years, this Sydney suburb has held an annual arts festival.

Display in one room of Vienna Cottage. Built in 1871, this was a typical tradesman’s cottage with four rooms in the main building and another small detached building.

Nicole Hunt – Ready for my Close-up (detail) – $930

Keiko Matsui – Stuff Meeting – $5500

Jennifer Linz – Sleeping Girl – $1400

The Town Hall is the largest venue. The original building was built in 1866.

The Town Hall is the largest venue. The original building was built in 1866.

Night comes early now

After the smoky ferry rides and the arts festival, and a friend’s birthday drinks, it was time to head home. It gets dark early now, and looking at this deserted train station you’d be forgiven for thinking I’d been out partying until the wee hours of the morning. However, it was only an extremely respectable 6:30pm when I took this photo.

Waiting for the train, Erskineville station, 6:30pm

Mother’s Day

An occasion firmly associated with May.

Mother’s Day

An afternoon of wine in the sun

Mudgee comes to Pyrmont

Mudgee is a renowned wine producing area 265km north west of Sydney. I don’t know what the connection is between Mudgee and the harbourside suburb of Pyrmont, but I heartily approve of this festival! What a marvellous way to spend a sunny autumn afternoon.

Crowds of chilled out Sydneysiders in search of the perfect glass of wine.

Crowds of chilled out Sydneysiders in search of the perfect glass of wine.

Red wine, and white! My two favourite kinds.

Red from Mudgee

White from Mudgee

A good time was had by all. 🙂

Cheers! Raise a glass

Markets in May

Markets in May, Martin Place

I walk along Martin Place to get to/from my office and the trail station, so it’s easy to keep up with the ever-changing program of events on this pedestrianised street in the heart of the Central Business District. During May, a different Sydney market set up each Thursday. A great excuse to escape the office for a while.

Dreamcatchers and perfumes

Flowers and stalls

Tea

Honey at the market

Season Markers

It’s not even possible to pretend that sunlight is still hitting the west end of Martin Place at 5:30pm.

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Over at Sandringham Garden in Hyde Park, the 1pm shadow gets longer and longer. The wisteria is still looking lush and green.

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Whew, and that’s it for a busy May! Despite the sunny days, winter is definitely coming. Nights are chilly (dropping below 10C/50F) and I’ve swapped my light bedding for my snuggly down/feather duvet, and sweaters and jackets (and even scarves!) are the fashion statements now.

I’ll be away from Sydney for most of June, so next month I think I’ll opt for the version of the challenge that only needs one photo. 🙂

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