Last weeks return to more comfortable temperatures was a welcome change for locals and visitors alike. I'd almost forgotten what it was like to not wear my polypropylene top and long-johns and to be able to just 'loiter' outside and not freeze. It's been a week since the condensation froze the curtains to the windows throughout the flat, and the glaciers on Queenstown hill have made a hasty retreat.

All the rubbish that was littering the top of the frozen pond in the Queenstown Garden's has now made its undesirable way to the bottom. The collection of sticks, branches, road cones, rocks, fence posts, and various painted marker pegs, have joined the growing list of rubbish to be found under the surface of Queenstown's impromptu ice (shoe) skating rink. Miraculously, there were no reports of anyone falling through the ice, although it is amazing what attracts idiots these days.

The permafrost that had made itself at home in the flat vege garden has also made a disappearance. A big shout-out goes out to the thyme, parsley, onions, chives and silver beet, for making it through winter so far, but not unscathed. Oh, there's still some 'fancy' lettuce battling away too. What a great experiment in growing the last 8 months have turned out to be.

I've learnt that you can still grow quite a few things during winter, despite the best intentions of the pristine blue sky conditions that herald the frosts. I'm about to plant a row of peas and silver beet, and perhaps potatoes too, in the parts of the yard that actually get sun during summer. I have already planted some silver beet seeds in a pot that sits on the kitchen table as it gets sun from 10am till 2pm. Watch this space to keep track!

Nathan - Queenstown.com Editor.