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Signs of Spring on Stewart Island

Signs of Spring on Stewart Island

by | Aug 17, 2017 | "Sails" Tours

Signs of Spring Yesterday I checked our garden soil temperatures (see post July 31st) and already the cultivated and covered garden is 10.2 deg C, and the lawn… which is our “base” level is at 9.2 deg C. So even though technically still winter...
Garden Preparation

Garden Preparation

by | Jul 31, 2017 | Garden, Weather & Cams

July Chores at Sails Ashore A few days ago the weather forecast looked pretty good for several days, so we decided to start the vegetable garden preparation for spring planting. Current soil temperature is 6.4 deg C. Generally we’ll plant at 10 to 11 deg C Iris...
Island Haven From a Winter Storm

Island Haven From a Winter Storm

by | Jul 13, 2017 | "Sails" Tours

It Started with a Weather Forecast For several days the news has been full of predictions of a severe winter storm hitting New Zealand, Snow to low levels, gales, high seas ….. the whole 9 yards. And the weather folk appeared to get it right, except for Stewart...
Winter Solstice at Sails Ashore

Winter Solstice at Sails Ashore

by | Jun 21, 2017 | Blog Posts, Garden, Weather & Cams

 Winter Solstice at Sails Ashore Winter Solstice on the 21st June for us in the Southern Hemisphere is our shortest day and longest night. On a heavily cloudy day it will be dark at around 1700, and leaving on the morning ferry at 0800 will have your headlights on...
Ulva Island Winter Tour

Ulva Island Winter Tour

by | Jun 13, 2017 | "Sails" Tours, Blog Posts

Ulva Island Winter Tour This time of year is usually quiet for us, with most of the Islands visitors coming over the spring/summer/autumn seasons. Although I do go and explore Ulva Island to explore the winter difference it’s really nice to share it with our few...
First Winter Frost

First Winter Frost

by | Jun 11, 2017 | Blog Posts, Garden, Weather & Cams

First Winter Frost A couple of days ago we woke to a beautiful clear still morning. Iris opened the back door to let our Border Terrier Bridie out for her morning walk and comfort stop and remarked that we had a frost.  And sure enough there was a coating of frost on...
The Winter Blues

The Winter Blues

by | May 28, 2017 | "Sails" Tours, Garden, Weather & Cams

The Winter Blues ….. (not) Although we’ve had a couple of short spells of badish weather it’s really been pretty nice. I’m still mowing the lawns ever 10 days or so, and I see a few spuds sprouting through the pea straw Iris has covered the...
Kiwi In Sails Ashore Garden

Kiwi In Sails Ashore Garden

by | May 10, 2017 | "Sails" Tours, Garden, Weather & Cams

Kiwi in Sails Ashore Garden We quite regularly hear Kiwi at night from Sails Ashore, but the last few nights has really been exceptional, with a male calling several times during the night, and sounding much closer than usual. It all got too much for Iris a couple of...
Indian Summer and Garden

Indian Summer and Garden

by | May 9, 2017 | Blog Posts, Garden, Weather & Cams

Indian Summer These last few days have been stunning, not a breath of wind and wall to wall sunshine. It’s mid afternoon and looking at our met station the outside temp is 14.6 deg, and wind 3 knots from the NNE. There is a little high cloud, but it’s no...
Kiwi Summer

Kiwi Summer

by | Apr 29, 2017 | "Sails" Tours

The Summer of the Kiwi This past summer has truly been one for Kiwi sightings, both on Ulva Island and around the village. I liberated some of the first kiwi to be let lose on Ulva Island back when I was ranger in ’69/70, but never really saw them there again...