The air was magically still, although the lead-coloured overhead clouds were ragged from the storm. Over the hills the cloud had thinned away to long streamers of apricot and pale violet, tinged on the underside with jade. The trunks of the gum trees were washed with delicate shades of lavender and faded rose pink, and the long grass rippled with a long streak of molten gold. I drew in a breath. The sun just rested on the horizon. It was a perfect orb of brilliant falme-orange, except for the faintest flattening at its lowest margin.

Entranced, it was a moment for myself. The unearthly beauty stuck a shaft into my heart.