Last month's hail storm damage

On the 18th October we had hail like we haven't had for many, many years. Fortunately it was only small hail and none of our windows were smashed which was just as well as it was hitting the windows on the western side really hard. The outside walls were covered in pecan nut tree leaves which my hubby hosed off after the storm and we didn't notice until the next day the damage that had been done in the garden. 

The worst hit plants were the bromeliads. Very few escaped unscathed. The brom in the photo above was a very expensive one that my hubby bought at the recent Carnival of Flowers...

...and it used to look like this. 

This was another of the expensive ones .....

...which looked like this when we bought it. 

The hail was still around the next morning as I am sure it was out at Highfields which was hit the hardest. I could see the green in the clouds above Highfields and knew there was hail coming. You can read about the storm in this article Snow-like hail and tornado lash Darling Downs. 

This was my indoor plant which I put outside to get 'a little bit of rain'. Big mistake! 

The Hippiastrums took a direct hit but should bounce back like a lot of the plants will I hope. They have survived both a severe frost and a hail storm in the past couple of months. 

I don't know why but the Hollyhocks escaped damage apart from a few leaves. They are looking absolutely beautiful at the moment although only the pink ones have flowered this year. I bought some black Hollyhock seeds on eBay but none of them have come up. Perhaps next year. 

I also bought some black Poppy seeds on eBay and this one was just starting to flower before the whole plant was wrecked by the hail and wind. They are actually a dark purple and quite pretty. So that was our excitement for the year and I hope we don't have any more severe weather events any time soon. 

Handmade under the Stars will be held on the 25th November at the Cobb and Co Museum and I believe it will be held outdoors this year so I hope the weather is fine. Bush Christmas will be held from the 24th November till 3rd December at a new venue, the Empire Church Theatre which is just a couple of doors up from the old venue. I know some people from out of town like to know when these events are on so come along and support the local artisans and those who live in remote areas. 

Have a great weekend everyone!