Inevitably with a change of weather in New Zealand, comes a change in attitude as well.
For some, a welcome relief from the unrelenting heat of a Hawke's Bay summer, and a sigh of "Finally I'll be able to sleep again".
While for a significant proportion of others there are grounds to complain, and reminisce, over the loss of long evenings in front of the barbecue.
So let's take a quick look at some of the positives of a winter ahead, and what we can look forward to.
Those of us in long-term relationships can potentially look forward to a cuddle or two, as cooler evenings drive our significant others to find any source of warmth to get through a chilly evening, and there may even be some crossing over the bed's centre line, to ward off 3am near-hypothermia!
Should you have a packet of sparklers or a fizzer or two left over from Guy Fawkes for an anniversary, birthday, or other celebration, you don't have to wait until midnight for the sun to go away before you can set them off.
A 6pm fireworks party is much less likely to wake the neighbours.
For parents, the early darkness is a great opportunity to sneak an extra child-free hour here or there.
Wind the kitchen clock forward an hour for the evening when the kids aren't looking. At 7pm, yawn and remark loudly, "Oh, goodness, 8 o'clock, so dark outside! Time for bed, kid,". Then fix the clock and enjoy an extra hour of "you" time.
Sure, the early light has you rising earlier and in the kitchen before you are used to, but that means your morning coffee is ingested earlier as well, and your body thanks you for it.
But by far the best thing about winter mornings, days and nights, is that with each and every one we make it through, we're a day closer to next summer!
Good luck staying warm, I'm off to fill the hot water bottle.
• Don't miss Adam Green and Sarah van der Kley on The Hits Hawke's Bay from 6am to 9am, Monday to Friday.
