This afternoon it is pouring

Huge rain drops - too heavy to go out and check the rain gauge. And what a contrast to the past few weeks when there's been no rain at all.

Here's our local weatherman's report for November and December 2012:

The rainfall in November was only 28mm, which is well below the monthly average of 61mm. 

The rainfall in December was 20mm, which was only 40% of the monthly average of 50mm.  Rainfall for the August-December period this year (187mm) has been less than half of the average (382mm) for this five month period - the rainfall during this period has been lower only twice in the past 25 years (1994 and 2006).

The total rainfall for the year is 644mm, with is 27% below the long term average of 885mm. Flow in the Loddon is now not much more than a trickle.

So - this gives you an idea of what the gardeners of Glenlyon have to work with (or against).