Hmm Yello Boss , just found out that you have some new avid readers in The shape of a chap called Bloo Reeves , ( Bloo said you write cryptic until I explained all ) , he's one of my old school mob , and he is driving me down to Dover today to meet HRH , JV larfed.

For weeny and her tribe , I located article regarding the weather down there.

Farmers, travellers warned over cold weather
04 July 2003


Farmers have been told to shelter their stock and motorists to reconsider their travel plans as the coldest day of the year assails the winter-bound south.


The MetService yesterday said the freezer door would open on Southland and Otago today, with wind-chill and even blizzards taking the temperature as low as minus 10degC in the mountains and nothing more than 5degC on the flat.

Up to 25cm of snow is expected above 300m in Southland and the Catlins until 9pm today, while up to 10cm could fall at the same level in Otago.

Snow showers were likely to sea level today with a few centimetres possible on the beaches.

MetService spokesman Bob McDavitt watched the bitterly cold Antarctic air sweep north to New Zealand and warned the south would bear the brunt of snow that would help make today the coldest day of the year.

Heavy snow falls across the region might mean an early start to the school holidays for marooned students, but it would bring no respite for weather-beaten farmers and cautious travellers.

The weather could prove deadly for farming stock in the hills – rain, snow and forecast winds could cause hypothermia – while snow and ice would make roads treacherous.

Farmers should shelter their stock, and motorists were strongly advised to reconsider their travel plans, Mr McDavitt said.

Increasingly high winds whipped a 2m swell through Foveaux Strait, forcing Foveaux Express to cancel ferry sailings to Stewart Island today.

The company would review sailings today.

Transit national highway manager Rick van Barneveld said everyone from holiday makers to truckies and couriers should take care.

"We mean it when we tell motorists to carry chains," he said.

Motorists were urged to check road information before they set out on journeys this weekend, the start of the school holidays.

The forecast is for the weather to ease tomorrow.

The Automobile Association-Transit Information phone line is 0900 33222. Road information can be found on the Internet at: www.transit.govt.nz.