Once upon a time August was famous for the windy weather it wrought around the region and yesterday the gusts fanned the flames of fire in another seasonal regular.
While the forecasts are for wintry and colder conditions around us this weekend, the mercury is definitely heating up and spring is in the air.
In the great outdoors, the season has spawned warnings already about the risks we face in bush areas from a good growth spurt in vegetation. There are inherent dangers from silly or unwitting actions.
While fire authorities can put out their periodic warnings, it is a fact of human nature that too many of us ignore just what they say.
Yesterday it seemed that one such hazard burn – in such windy conditions – sparked a real grassfirethat threatened properties and tied up services.
While we might get a blast of arctic weather today, we are heading in the right direction. That will bring a smile to plenty – while others will mark another milestone in the wearing of their woollies.
This time also marks some seasonal sporting stuff.
It’s down to the business end of the winter season and the hopes, aspirations and hard work of plenty of players are on the line.
One of the big crowd pullers will be the Group 4 second division grand final of rugby league at Werris Creek between Kootingal and the Creek, the two favorite front runners who won their way into this decider.
Second division is not often the glamour game of sport, but it attracts a special kind of sentiment.
It has long been one of the competitions closest to fanatics and fans and its small, often rural-based localities, where supporters show a heartfelt and down-to-earth community support for their hometown heroes.
Today’s game between the Roosters and the Magpies has a sentimental ring to this clash of the blokes in a big battle of the birds.
Werris Creek is celebrating its centenary this year so the fairytale ending is part of that dream.
On other sporting paddocks, there is a Group 4 first division semi-final and sudden death for West Tamworth or Narrabri – and in AFL there’s two semi games today and tomorrow for local sides.
And tomorrow hundreds will take to the track to run, walk or stroll around a few different courses in the 39th annual Tamworth Ten.
May the best men and women win – but may everyone enjoy it better.