The Weather !!

When you have lived in an area  in the country for any length of time you become wise to the weather patterns and how they can impact your activities.

In Canterbury, where we live, we have had a very damp summer so far - the grain and seed farmers loved the early season because their crops did well and "filled out" but at some stage they need the rain to stop and the sun to shine so they can harvest. The sheep, beef and dairy farmers are enjoying the the way things are going because the grass is still growing - although hay making has been difficult (got to moan about something).


Right to the end of January there were really glum faces from the grain and seed farmers as the damp weather continued. But as we know the weather pattern can suddenly change and we can be heading into a dry Autumn.

Well this year, a week ago, the sun finally came out and has stayed out every day since and the cropping farmers are smiling and going flat out to harvest.

The point of this story is to say that I don't moan too much about overcast, damp weather because for once the place stays green, but having said that in one week with sunny days and hot temperatures it is still surprising how West Melton starts to dry out - dust in the gateways, a browner tinge in the paddocks and the need to increase the watering in the garden. We can't complain too much though because we haven't had any Nor'westers (touch wood) yet and all in all it has been an OK season to date.

It is a case of being prepared - we need sun, we need rain (I am not sure if we need wind!!) and we have to manage things when they get out of balance.