Sum sum summer, well it's almost summer (Celebration)

After experiencing three scorching days in a row last week, I think it's safe to say that summer (in Nu Zild) has arrived. 

That means I tend to break out the short sleeve shirts for work, say goodbye to the singlets and start listening to reggae - as I type this Magic Transistor have played about a dozen (and counting) reggae songs in a row so far - Keith Hudsen and Philip Samuel We Will Make It is just the latest.

At least I can do this for a week or so before flying to Los Angeles and then on to London for our winter Christmas. Then it will be a case of breaking out the polyprops.

This is the perfect arrangement for me. I'm not a fan of NZ summers: way too hot; Christmas just feels all wrong; sleeping is a nightmare; and my snoz always getting burned. 

All up - it's not cool, literally!

I much prefer the winter weather in England - dark afternoons, a snuggly warm inside Christmas, maybe some sleet if I'm lucky and snow would be a bonus!

But I'll leave the summery background on the blog to remind me what I'm coming back to in February.

Love and peace - Wozza

When the heat's got you down...get yourself in that cool cool water (The Beach Boys)

Summer holidays on Red Phoenix Farm contain some routine elements:

• A project (this time it's been trimming trees and gardens on RPF's 13 acres)
• NFL playoff games leading to the February first Superbowl (these are always closer than the regular season games - more focused eyes on the prize now)
• 35 degree heat (crazy)
• The silly season on TV and in the English Premiership goes into hyperdrive (Arsenal doing okay - currently 5th; Rochdale spectacular in League One and FA Cup)
• Books - Lee Child seems to produce a new Jack Reacher adventure on cue (and others like Pete Townshend, Neil Young and Ray Davies autobios)
• Brown fields and hills (keep reading)

Red Phoenix Farm is rebranded as Brown Phoenix Farm about now until autumn rains kick in. 

We're not alone as these snaps show:

SWMBO lunges her horses in this paddock looking north-west

Looking north-east from our house 'lawn'

South-east-ish and our sheep have slim pickins (treeline on right is our
boundary)

The road east to the beach (middle ground tree line is our boundary)

House on the left (northwards)

Treeline again our boundary. South hill paddock with some green at the
bottom

A yet to be harrowed paddock also looking north - dry!
Middle ground treeline is our boundary

Love and peace - Wozza (Go Seahawks!)