It’s that time of year again.

I am stunned and inspired by the show of light purple on the Jacaranda trees. They are everywhere in my home city, but one part of Perth has so many of them that I go there every December just to be astonished.

In Applecross, about 80 years ago, the local council gave thousands of Jacaranda saplings to the local schools, and the kids planted them all.

Now, the streets of Applecross are literally arched over with these huge, mature Jacarandas, and the streets and lawns are carpeted with the flowers as they tumble down like heavy snow in the ever reliable afternoon breeze.

I look up. Purple against the hot blue summer sky.

I look down. Purple against the cool green grass, the hard grey concrete, and the black, black road.

So beautiful.