Spring Equinox

Yesterday was Spring Equinox. At 11.43am the sun crossed the equator directly overhead, marking the traditional beginning of Spring. The Met Office considers March 1 as the season's official start. I'd believe it. Since returning from my globe-trotting London's weather has been wonderfully sunny and warm.

The trees in our backyard have started blossoming, while daffodils are sprouting in the front yard. Today the temperature even hit a cosy 16°C. With the trees in bloom, the birds have returned with vengeance. They've started crapping on our car with gusto once again.

I also learnt this week that Summer is actually longer in the Northern Hemisphere thanks to the Earth's slighly elliptical orbit. Winter occurs when Earth is slightly closer to the Sun and thus is orbiting more rapidly. This means that winter technically lasts 89 days over here, while Summer is 94 days. All I can say is that these astromoners clearly don't live in London. Winter sure lasts far longer here than I ever recall in Sydney.

For me the most reassuring sign of Spring's arrival will be next weekend's shift to British Summer Time. Our clocks finally go forward one hour. Roll on Summer!