We woke to the quiet falling of snow. The promise of winter now upon us. Apart from the muted sound of children playing in the street, the usual morning drone of activity remained silent. We drove up the mountain to Katoomba where the temperature was 1 degree and the snow more powdery and thick. The absence of cars noticeable as the highway had been closed from Lawson to Mount Victoria.

I grew up in Jindabyne NSW where the seasonal blanketing of snow was expected, but here in the Blue Mountains, winter does not promise a dump of snow. Today, 30cm fell and I could not resist a photo opportunity.

Katoomba NSW Photography by James Blackwell

At The Melting Of The Snow by A.B. "Banjo" Paterson

There's a sunny Southern land,

And it's there that I would be

Where the big hills stand,

In the South Countrie!

When the wattles bloom again,

Then it's time for us to go

To the old Monaro country

At the melting of the snow.

To the East or to the West,

Or wherever you may be,

You will find no place

Like the South Countrie.

For the skies are blue above,

And the grass is green below,

In the old Monaro country

At the melting of the snow.

Now the team is in the plough,

And the thrushes start to sing,

And the pigeons on the bough

Sit a-welcoming the Spring.

So come my comrades all,

Let us saddle up and go

To the old Monaro country

At the melting of the snow.