Consider yourselves softened up.

November frosts are occurring around the country on the back of a few southerly fronts that have recently passed over the country.

No surprise then that frost protection methods will need to be employed to protect the new growth on budding vines.

Also no surprise to learn of the hoards of helicopters being readied for mixing the inversion layers over crops.

The frost fans will also be in action of course, but in an ironic twist of legislation, you can't currently regulate against the noise produced by a helicopter in flight under the Civil Aviation Act or the Resource Management Act. It might be possible under the Health Act if someone was brave enough (or annoyed enough after sleepless nights) to make a complaint that they presented a nuisance (literally, they would be referred to as a nuisance).

So prepare for reports of the massed flights of choppers saving crops across the nation. Also watch for the little anecdotes that are traditionally attached to these reports that tell of the annoyance of the neighbours of these devices.  What a pity! But at least the wine crop was saved! More mind altering drugs for everyone in these difficult economic times. 

Outstanding.

P.S. It's nice to be back after my little vacation. There was no truth to the rumours of my jaunts around the country campainging in the election. If the taxman asks, it was a family holiday!