>>>>And is ready for springing new ideas.
>>
>>Depends where you are. ;-)
>
>The spring is here today (temps in the 60s) but will be gone by Thursday (will be back in 40s). :(
>
>I know you must be going through early fall now :)

It is early fall in Auckland. But it doesn't get too bad. John says it snows about once a decade.

The South Island is a different story. There are mountains and ski slopes galore. At the very southern tip is Milford Sound, the most beautiful place I have ever been.

http://www.lovethesepics.com/2011/11/spectacular-scenery-of-magnificent-milford-sound-43-pics/

My love of NZ is endless all these years later. The scenery is amazing. At no point are you more than 60 miles from the ocean. The people are sensationally friendly. (John is probably the orneriest of them, LOL). If you go there you will never forget it.