In theory we get summer weather here when large, slow moving high pressure weather systems move over the Tasman Sea and settle above our small homeland. This seasons such systems have been very rare.
The good news for us is that right now we have such a one and we are enjoying blue skies, sunshine, hot temperatures and balmy wee breezes. This weekend has seen people out in droves enjoying our beautiful beaches and outdoor areas, putting summer into practice.
Today we headed to Plimmerton and walked along the path by the sea. I sat and relaxed for a bit and took some photos.
This red-billed gull came over to see whether I had any food on offer and rather quickly dismissed me when all I could give him was my attention and the lens of a digital camera.
It was very hot on the beach and someone had set up a make-shift area of shade using an old rain umbrella firmly attached to a long piece of driftwood.
In a very surprising turn of events the umbrella did not move. Usually it is too windy for umbrellas at the beach!!!
In the hazy distance sat Mana Island and faintly in the background the outline of the South Island of New Zealand.
And these people were really enjoying swimming and paddling in the water.
Now it is time to eat our barbeque dinner outside. It is our third meal of the day to be eaten outdoors. Mmmmmm summertime.
ordinarygoodness 
Now that photo of the umbrella is one for the record books; an umbrella in one piece and stationary in Wellington!
It was an amazing sight for sure:-) The umbrella did have at least one broken rib which showed it was a Wellington umbrella!!!
Nice observation.
Thanks. It is a rare Wellington umbrella that is in pristine condition:-)
Thank you for the beautiful summer photos 🙂
We are in a very summery spell of weather right now. I have some more photos to post:-)
Nice post about summer in NZ. It is supposed to be winter here in central Texas but is more like a spring day. Around NZ, if you swim in the ocean do you need to worry about sharks or crocs.? Or is that only around Australia, and etc.
The seasons do seem to be askew in many places around the globe now. Thankfully we don’t get crocodiles in New Zealand waters. Sharks are a possible threat but to a much lesser extent than Australia. Generally we can swim in the sea without too much risk. Sadly man-made pollution is an increasing danger in both our fresh and salt water.
The pollution problem is the pits. I would have thought that NZ would be better (than US and other countries) about not polluting. I hope the samrt people can come up with an answer befoe we destroy the sea.
Thanks for the reply.
I am sure we can do much better on dealing with pollution.
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