Winter has been a bit of a non event here in New Zealand this year. Climate Scientist Jim Salinger says the country has so far experienced its warmest winter since reliable records began in the 1860s. August has behaved like September with temperatures almost 2 degrees C above normal. This makes us wonder what sort of summer lies in store for us.
There is just a little snow cover on the Tararua Ranges behind our village – it is not called Range View Villas for nothing.
Snow on the ranges
With their Mum turning 90 in a couple of months, Robin and his brother Gary have been trying to find a suitable venue for her special birthday lunch. We stopped for coffee at one possibility and I was really taken with a whole line of glorious Magnolia trees in full blossom growing on the adjacent property. Even a non gardening type like me could see there were several different varieties. So pretty – with blossoms like this, it certainly is Spring.
Magnolia trees
Sadly, that particular restaurant (with such a beautiful outlook) would have trouble coping with a large family group so close to Christmas, so we had to widen our search for another venue. While driving along we passed a group of alpacas quietly going about their business. These animals have such expressive faces, we just had to stop the car and take some photos.
Who is that taking my photo?
With new growth everywhere, flowering bulbs in gardens, and lambs in the paddocks, it looks like Spring has well and truly sprung. Daylight Saving commences on the last Sunday in September, so it will be Summer before we know it.
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