Linda Hall
A month ago I wrote about a spot appearing on my hand and immediately thinking of the worst-case scenario - skin cancer.
I duly had it checked and, luckily for me, it was nothing.
However, it appears I am in the minority when it comes to being proactive about getting things checked.
I received an email from a spokesperson for an organisation called Firstcheck.
According to them, the Kiwi "she'll be right attitude" is one of the reasons New Zealand has the highest rate of melanoma in the world.
Yes - that's the highest in the world. Firstcheck says about 69,000 of us get skin cancer every year.
That's a lot of people, yet a recent survey they did found that only 3.8 per cent have had a skin check-up and nearly half of us have not had one in the past 10 years.
I have to admit I fall into this category - apart from getting the spot on my hand checked I have never had a skin check-up.
When I think about it, I ask myself why?
After all, without going into detail, I like many other women regularly have other parts of my body checked for cancer - yet our skin, the organ that covers us from head to toe, is woefully mistreated and neglected.
We thrash it - burning it, scratching it, bruising it and breaking it, yet we don't bother taking the time and spending the money to make sure it's healthy.
I know many families can't afford to go to the doctor unless they feel it is really necessary and I also know there are people out there who don't like going to the doctor.
Well, I have some great news for you. Firstcheck has come up with a new app which offers quick and low-cost consultations with New Zealand skin specialists.
The Firstcheck app is free to download and all you have to do is take a photo of any mole that you think isn't quite right, send it in and a skin specialist will get back to you within 72 hours.
It costs just $19.95. What a fantastic idea.
Firstcheck says this is in no way intended to replace visits to doctors - "doctor's visits are so important" - but I think it's a great tool for people who might otherwise think she'll be right.
Early detection is key to survival so anything that helps is a huge bonus. For more information go to www.firstcheck.co.nz
It's so easy to get too much sun in Hawke's Bay. I was talking to a woman on Sunday who said she had been in her garden all afternoon the day before with 85+ sunblock on and a hat, and she still got burnt.
Saturday was a glorious day. Mr Neat and I headed south to Waipukurau to watch the 150-year anniversary parade.
The town was packed and there was an excited buzz in the air.
The start was signalled by the scream of a siren from an ancient fire truck which led the parade. Onboard were men, women and children kitted out in full fire gear - some of it very old.
There were adults and children dressed in period costumes, loads of vintage cars and lots of good old-fashioned community spirit. Well done, everyone involved.
On the way home we decided to take a detour and visit Lime Rock Wines. I'd seen the signs pointing to the Central Hawke's Bay vineyard on the Tikokino Rd but had never been there.
I'm so glad we decided to go. We were greeted by winemaker Rosie Butler, who chatted away to us while I tried a sav.
Mr Neat commented on the spectacular spot and she offered to take us up the hill in her car.
"I've just taken another group up. It's a perfect day - you'll get great views."
So off we went. The vineyard lives on limestone hills, hence the name and the unique taste of the wines.
The views from the top were gorgeous. What a treat.
We did some more tasting and believe it or not Mr Neat actually went to his vehicle and got his wallet.
He bought a delicious bottle of pinot noir - it's good.
Great way to finish the day - thanks Rosie.
• Linda Hall is assistant editor of Hawke's Bay Today.
The contentious bill will have its first reading in Parliament this afternoon.