As I was doing my tai chi on the balcony, I looked to the east and noticed that the flame tree was waving goodbye, with the last of the red flowers that have cheered me through the winter.

And then as I turned my head to the west, I caught sight of the first pohutukawa blooms, just beginning, preparing for a flamboyant hello.

As one season passes and the flaming vermilion flowers drop away, another comes in, bringing with it deep crimson. How lucky I am to have such beauty between me and the sea, and such continuity of passionate colour!