The Christmas juggernaut arrived with a series of roundhouse kicks to my trouser pocket, the one where I keep my wallet.

With only a few days before Christmas, I have adopted the role of that furry green recluse aka The Grinch.

Scientists, clever wizards that they are, have informed us that the Shire shares the same climate as Dunedin.

During the past few years several staff members have had their say about the expensive Hairy Maclary statues destined for our waterfront.