Exeloos could do with lick of paint

After all the fuss, they're finally here. The new loos have been deposited, so to speak, in Queen Elizabeth Park and in Kuripuni.

They won't be ready for use until next month.

My first impression of the Exeloos was that they looked quite tidy, a bit bland, and that the little veranda at the front could be handy should a bus load of visitors be left queuing in the rain.

The pre-made Exeloos appear to provide everything you need to do your business in cleanliness and comfort.

They are boring, though, and they have nothing to make them stand out from any other plain, functional public loos you might come across around the country.

But do they need to stay that way? Could they be redecorated to give them a local spin?

They're right across the road from the Wool Shed and, of course, this is the home of the Golden Shears, so I can imagine a shearing scene or a row of woolly sheep along the side of the block.

Of course, the point of low-maintenance, graffiti-resistant toilets is surely to prevent people using them as a canvas, and they may be built to resist just such an initiative (and I certainly don't condone attempting such a make-over yourself.)

Send us your loo-spruce up ideas anyway and we'll share them.

The regional food festival Wellington on a Plate draws to a close this weekend, so it's your last chance to get out and enjoy some of the fine eating on offer.

It's been great to see so many Wairarapa farmers, growers and food producers featuring on menus throughout the festival.

Take the opportunity to get out and enjoy one of the Dine Wellington menus on offer locally - delicious local food at a great price.