It’s hard to resist the temptation to kick your way through the piles of autumnal leaves.  They are now a colourful blanket all around us.  The extreme dry weather this year has deepened the colours even if it hasn’t stopped the leaves falling.  With bright sunshine during the day this is one of the best autumn we’ve had in the four years we’ve been in New Zealand.  As well as bright days the night skies are amazingly clear and stars burn bright bringing a twinkling light in every direction.  All in all a visual cacophony.