New Zealand Spring?

It's our last New Zealand spring. And really it's nothing to write home about. Hit and miss but mostly cold and raining. Today - it was supposed to be a high of 18 but I'd be surprised if it passed 15 in Hamilton (overnight lows of about 4). The winds and rain from the south is freezing! Tomorrow the forecast is hail.  Milton on the other hand is experiencing similar temperatures according to Environment Canada (14-ish). Although, by the middle of the week it's suppose to be 'light snow' which made our girls rather excited! I'm sure come January the discrepancy between the New Zealand summer and Canadian winter will be rather significant.

We have had some beautiful days. The roses are out everywhere. The cherry trees are finished. It's like winter never existed. Which, in some ways, is part of our dilemma: We're so used to firmly demarcated seasons that the brief, subtropical winter just doesn't seem right! And Christmas in the middle of summer is still strange. I always said I was willing to try and it certainly does have advantages (i.e. swimming at the beach or in the outdoor pool on Christmas Day). But I know I won't be able to grow vegetables, herbs, fruits. Nor have a variety of citrus available outside the door. This is the first year I have not planted my veggie garden.

Today marks 33 until departure from Auckland. Our good friends the Osbornes have volunteered to take us to the airport (not sure they know what they're in for!).

In a few weeks, Murphy our Lab/Shar Pei will be arriving at his new home with a great family who live just north of Hamilton. They have a nice property with a rural outlook and even a cow/bull next door for him to torment. I took him for a visit on the weekend and he, their kids and current dog-temp Zoe got on like a house on fire! I'm sure Murph will be a much loved part of the family and look forward to keeping in touch with them. I know by staying in rural New Zealand, he will have the freedom and attention he is used to which isn't something we can guarantee for him in an urban Canadian city. And he'll be able to maintain his 'brotherhood' with his 'bro' Sam the Golden Retriever (and swims in the river).  We will miss 'both' our boys.