ED SAID - It’s official: Summer’s over

Well that’s what meteorologists, followers of Greek mythology and experts on things astral and solar are telling us of the southern hemisphere. Farmers would vehemently disagree and their ‘hard baked’ evidence is very hard to refute.

On the other hand with temperatures still regularly reaching the mid to upper 20’s, weekend visitors to our beaches are giving little credence to such things and simply enjoying the ongoing fine weather and beaching themselves to the max.

Farming aside, the prolonged sunny days are a boon to grape and olive growers. The sugar content in grapes will be rising substantially, a good sign towards the quality of the end product. Harvest may start earlier and later varieties will ripen better but vintners also know that any end to a dry spell that brings lots of rain can turn virtual success into failure in a very short time.

Mangawhai soil has produced some impressive results from both species but, as it has been some years since such a hot dry spell was endured it will be interesting to see just what Mangawhai can produce this season.

With the last long weekend approaching, gardeners will be out in force doing post-summer clean-ups and preparing winter gardens, fisho’s will have one eye on the weather while preparing their assault on the denizens of the deep, and for the more sedate, the last of the beach and country markets will be held at the Domain.

Then, while one faction of the community is preparing a court case against commissioners, another faction is gearing up to meet and serve the usual swell of Easter visitors. Then will follow Walking Weekenders, Art Trailer’s and the walkers and runners on the Heads 2 Hub jaunt now held in April previously in July and often in the face of galeforce winds.

Mangawhai is, in many ways, no different from any other small town. It has the good and bad, pro’s and con’s, rights and wrongs – all the essential emotions that make the world go round but It’s special because it’s Mangawhai and you all know this because you want to live there.

A word of warning though.

Just give some thought to the fact that at some point the weather WILL definitely break so it might be a good time to order that load of firewood, hose down that dusty roof and gutterings, and get the water tank cleaned in preparation.

Lots more happening in this issue of the Focus – our representatives at the Horse of the Year Show, Kiwi release planned for the Marunui Conservation block, there are still tickets available for the Wine and music festival and plenty more.

Enjoy.

Rob and the Team.