Summer

I feel that summer has really arrived.  Last night, even though it was a bit windy, the wind was very warm, I was outside in just shorts and T-shirt at 9pm, and it was quite pleasant.  Unfortunately, it looks like the trip to Scotland is still on, so I'll be saying goodbye to the blue skies and gentle airs of Aoteroa, and hello to the grey slush and freezing winds of Caledonia.

I've lived now in NZ for 7 years, and now consider it my home, I don't want to return to Scotland, but my familial responsibilities demand it.  Summer in Scotland is different and I was trying recently to describe to an old friend in Scotland what the differences were.  I didn't do a very good job when I was speaking to him on the phone, and I think a better way would be simply listing the main impressions each type of Summer made on me.

Summer in Scotland:
Warm winds
Warm sunshine
Midges (small biting fly)
Ham salads
Fluffy clouds
Busy beaches
Sandals and socks
Grey seas
Cold beer
Strawberries
Very long days and sunlit evenings until about 11pm
Electric mowers trimming green lawns
Packed roads
Ice lollies (Ice blocks)
Picnics
Fish and chips on the esplanade
Cool Irn Bru

Summer in Aoteroa:
Hot winds
Burning sunshine
Sandflys
Avocados
Cherries
Extraordinarily vivid blue skies
Empty long beaches
Deep blue water
Cold Chardonay/Sauvingon Blanc
Bright mornings
Petrol mowers trimming brown grass
Easy driving
Ice cream (Hokey Pokey - Thanks Bin Hire)
Barbecues
Chilly bins
Fish and chips on the esplanade
Cold  L & P
Flowering Pohutikawas
Jandals (Thanks Bin Hire)

Please add your iconic summer items to either list via the comments.  I'll add them to the main list, so my friend in Scotland can see them.