Editorial: Let's kiss summer goodbye

Cosy up to the fire while watching the rugby.

Hands up who has the end of summer blues?

Generally we are a bit glum this time of year (did I mention Daylight Saving ends this Saturday?).

Last year I put together a list of 10 reasons to be grateful summer is over. It got a few of you to smile so I figured, why not wheel it out again this year:

1. Flies: The No1 bummer about summer is flies. These critters are purely disgusting. So let's look forward to being fly-free and not shelling out for insecticide can refills.

2. Lawns: Much like flies, lawns are a pain in the proverbial in summer. No more watching your obsessive neighbours water and weed their lawns. Say goodbye to pushing the mower around.

3. Winter warmth: You can't beat a log burner in winter. And if you are the obsessive green lawn type (see 2), now's your time to shine with your neatly stacked wood pile.

4. Barbecues: Do we really like barbecues that much? By the time you fire it up, cart your cooking gear outside, cook your sausie, clean up, let the barbie cool and wipe down the plate, you could have grilled your sausage in the oven.

5. Winter fruit: While we may think summer is great for berries and stone fruit, really it's just a season to burn a hole in your wallet. Winter is the season when oranges and kiwifruit shine. Bring on the vitamin C.

6. Winter food: Salads and fruit only cut it for so long. In winter you get to indulge in classic cosy grub like roasts, soups and slow-cooker stews with mashed spud.

7. Winter fashion: So long short skimpy dresses and singlets revealing your flabby arms, winter is the time to cover up and still look gorgeous.

8. Togs: Let's face it, togs suck. Even the word sounds unattractive. Time to pack them away for another nine months.

9. Sun: The sun is all well and good but really it's deadly. If you don't slip slop slap, you're risking your life.

10. Winter sport: We are an oval ball nation. Welcome back Saturday morning sports and Facebooking your littlies winning player of the day.

- So I'm looking forward to sitting in my fly-free house out of the sun by the fire watching the ruggers, eating grilled sausages knowing I don't have to mow the lawns this weekend with the extra hour up my long sleeve thanks to Daylight Saving.