Summer Months of 2021
Today, the 1st February 2021, presented New Zealand with the last month of summer. Although the early morning was bright with sunshine and maybe a little warmth outside, it was cold indoors. So cold that the heat pump played an important role in warming the house.
How amazing is that in the season of summer!! Crazy, I believe!
No doubt, all this unpredictable weather is due to global warming so often talked about for several years. But, where is the warmth? Has the definition changed while I haven't been looking - it must have!
January Weather was No Surprise
Last month, was erratic weather. Not unusual for January in New Zealand.
I recall the long summer school holidays camping with a young family. Hot sunny days were predominant but a few days here and there of heavy rain were not exempt. In fact, a heavy shower occasionally was more than welcome.
I've never forgotten one January, long ago, being washed out completely. A fierce stormy night resulted in a flooded tent in the early morning.
We were thankful for long-life-friends residing in that area. They welcomed us for breakfast and time to get ourselves ready for the long journey by car back to Auckland. Somehow a very wet tent travelled back home. It was a very large tent. I don't recall the mode of transport as my husband took care of that.
Maybe I'm being rather harsh regarding weather throughout the entire country as I live on the west coast where temperatures are always lower than inland and east coast areas. However, it is the west coast of the North Island. That causes me to sometimes wonder what early morning temperatures are experienced in the South Island during the summer.
Creating Content in 2021
My content creation has been seriously limited so far this year. Definitely, something I need to work on. But, that is not likely until next month, as I'm moving again.
I did not believe this would happen when I moved from Auckland 5 years ago. But it's all good. The planned move is to an inland area approximately 500 kilometres north of where I currently live.
Sea breezes will not be cooling the atmosphere as they do here on the coast.
Weather reports on TV reveal that I will soon be experiencing Hot days and Hot nights. There won't be a need for a heat pump to be set on 'Heat'. Setting to "Cold / Fan" will be required, no doubt!
My Website Content
Creating content between now and the month of March must be for my websites.
I may manage a blog on WA in the last week of this month. I hope so, as the old saying 'if you don't use it, you lose it' can easily creep in and cause a halt. That would never do!!
Writing Reviews will be My Focus this Year
Of course, over the past six years of my Wealthy Affiliate membership, I learned much about writing reviews. I can't say that I've put all that learning into practice.
Last Saturday (in my part of the world), I watched Jay's webinar about creating reviews. The training in this webinar was so easy to absorb.
I'm one who has a habit of overthinking most tasks. Clearly, there is no need for anyone to ponder the facts of writing reviews for their website.
If you are struggling with writing reviews for your website, I recommend watching Jay's webinar. Here is the Link
Enjoy the month of February and make it the best it can be.
Recent Comments
25
Good afternoon Valerie,
Observing the weather during many years in the south of Spain, one can see a pattern. It is getting warmer and there is less rain.
Just imagine, here is winter and for tomorrow, higher up north, on the Mediterranean Sea, 29C is expected. Many countries would be happy with that temperature for summer.
Your camping memories reminded me of a holiday camp when I was young. We had to cook rice, nearly ready it was put in the sleeping bag. We would have a trip in the forest and on coming back the rice was done.
You said you will be moving soon to a new place. You did not say why, but I hope the reason is a good/happy one.
Greetings from the south of Spain,
Taetske
Good afternoon Taetske,
Thanks very much for your message. It's good to hear from you.
That winter temperature of 29C is incredible. It is near to the highest summer temperature throughout New Zealand. In saying that, I have noticed on the TV evening weather forecast that some areas are experiencing temperatures above 30C. The world is certainly changing and although I won't ever be aware, the thought of the effects on future generations is quite disturbing.
It's interesting to learn about your camping experience of days gone by. So, did you eat the rice on your way back home? No doubt it would have been a comfort to know a meal was available should there be a delay somewhere along the line.
My move will be a happy one as I'll be much closer to Auckland where my sister and her family live and my younger daughter is there too. I'll be approximately one hour's drive from Auckland so seeing family members again will be simple and great! And residing in Cambridge, the area which I will live, are friends and younger members of our family. We will all be in reasonably close proximity to each other. I will be leaving friends made during the past 5 years but, with the help of technology, we can easily keep in touch. The actual move will be with my elder daughter. She will drive us for those 500ks up the island. Hopefully, we can stop and get some good photos of the scenery while on the journey.
Sending best wishes.
Valerie
Good Morning Valerie,
The area you are moving to is filled with friends and family, so that sounds absolutely positive. I hope you will be very happy there.
This 14 days summer camp was a real adventure. We all had small individual tents. During day time we would go on exiting exploration tours in the forest. In the evening we would all sit around the campfire and eat that rice which had kept warm in the sleeping bag. I do not remember what else was on the menu. Probably sausages fried over the fire.
This year the small almond tree in front of the house started blossoming 1 month earlier. The weather is not like it used to be.
All the best, Taetske
Good morning Taetske,
How lovely those camping experiences would have been. Memories of our younger days are precious. Thanks for telling more about the meals around the campfires.
I have noticed the time change of blossoming trees. I wonder how far the change in seasonal events will go. No doubt, the seasons will continue to change during future generations, just as they have in my lifetime.
I feel certain I will be happy when I've moved. It will be easier to go for walks than where I am now. I need some physical activity which is not so easy due to my level of mobility. As my doctor says frequently - "keep walking - keep active". So I'll soon be able to obey, although he won't be aware.
With best wishes, Valerie
Good Morning Valerie,
We started last year with a new habit. After getting up, drinking my lemon juice and giving Sasha his breakfast in the kitchen, we are going for a brisk walk. It is up to the main gate and back again, something like one and a half km. We see the full moon; the sun coming up and hear the small owls calling.
It can also happen that the big owl flies over, coming rather close.
I think it is a great habit; you feel so fresh and full of energy to start the day.
Then I will be on the computer and later follows breakfast.
All the best, Taetske
That's a wonderful suggestion, Valerie. I hope you find your winter productive. We are mid-way through winter now.
Hi Jim, thanks very much for your message. It's good to hear from you. I hope the second half of your winter goes well. Hopefully, I'll be more productive in the coming winter. I've been almost non-existent for the past year. For what reason, I do not know!
All the best.
Jay is certainly the BEST, Valerie! Good luck with your move and continue to have the best success!
Jeff
Thanks very much, Jeff. I appreciate your kind words.
Sending best wishes to you and your beautiful pets :)
Valerie
I understand geography and loved it at school, but I still think it is amazing to think that you are in summer while we are in winter.
So true, Geoffrey. What always amazes me is the time difference between countries. It can seem weird that the population of some countries has lived at least one day before those in other countries. For example - Jay's weekly training is on Friday's at 5 pm in Canada and members in New Zealand are attending at 2 pm on Saturday afternoon.
I can understand that Geoffrey, especially in regard to family members and friends in other countries.
See more comments
That was a wonderful meander Valerie, thank you.
I often wonder if my memories of seasons in the '70s (years not degrees) are distorted due to age, as I remember long hot summers and cold winters with snow, conkers falling in September along with leaves. I certainly don't remember six months of rain and damp days, as seems to be the case these days.
Thanks for your kind words, Twack. Much appreciated :)
Your memories are not distorted. I also remember those long hot summers and cold winters, though I didn't live in areas where snow fell. Even without snow, we experienced very cold blustery weather but were always nice and warm and snug inside. Those were the days of open fireplaces where parents kept the fire burning to keep us all warm. In saying that, it brings back memories of early married life when we also had an open fireplace. Then years later, fires were contained in whatever the metal box was called. I'm unable to recall the name!
I also remember it was considered that Labour weekend, celebrated with a public holiday, in the last week of October was the beginning of summer. As children, we were not allowed to wear summer clothes until that date. Some years it would be so hot and we longed to put aside winter clothes. Labour Day weekend is still celebrated in NZ but without the high temperatures. It can be very cold and wet at that time. Oh, what's happend to our world!!
It's certainly no longer a 'head in the sand' situation, unfortunately. Each generation has its own climate and thus thinks of that as the norm, we need to think generationally and put in place plans that span the next fifty or even one hundred years, of course, we won't because that would impact the life we are currently leading.
As per normal, things will have to get much worse before a radical change is the only option.
Absolutely, Twack. Hitting rock bottom will eventually result in the uphill battle. It makes me think of something before my time but so often referred to and that was the depression in the very early 1930s, I understood it was worldwide.
Nevermind - you and I are moving on. I've had similar reactions to what you've experienced recently. Friends and acquaintances find it hard to understand why I would move to another region. It's not something I take lightly, but it is the right thing for me. Hopefully, wifi will respond as expected in my new home. If so, I'll be back here before the end of February!
Yes, wasn't the Wall St. crash in 1929?
If it is the right thing for you, then it's the right thing to do (that could be a catchphrase😁)
I hope it all goes well.