Recovering from setbacks

I can probably speak for many that life isn’t plain-sailing.  Nor should it be.  You would have to be the luckiest person in the world to have the perfect everything.

If you do have the perfect job, the perfect marriage, the perfect family and friends, and the perfect bank balance, then congratulations for being such a lucky devil. 

I don’t mean that in a bad way either, I just prefer those who have to work exceptionally hard to get where they are today, rather than see success just handed out on a plate.

Plus, it is important to recover from setbacks and take the positives out of experiences – otherwise we don’t improve as individuals.

That could be a record deal that has turned sour, a football transfer move that went wrong, or something as simple as a rejection which could mean the end of the world.

The reality is it isn’t.  New avenues can open up, and for every crushing disappointment – there’s a cloud in a silver lining.

For me, I’ve had a couple of experiences where I have had this and reacted in different ways.  One was on an educational scale, and one was on the never ending job search lately. 

On both occasions, I took the positives from this shattering setbacks and feel that improvements can and will be made.  After all, that is the only way we improve as individuals.  Self-assessment doesn’t have to be taxing as one advert used to say.

Unfair but made sense

It was the autumn of 2001, and the world was only just coming to terms with the shocking terrorist attack on America on September 11^th, and the air strikes that had got underway in Afghanistan – a country that our brave and strong troops are still serving in today.

In my own personal life, I had just started at secondary school – a massive change after four years at the same middle school.

I remember the start of my first year there (Year 8), and it was a real wake-up call.  The high amount of levels in homework was absolutely ridiculous.  I wasn’t prepared for such a change, and some of the lessons were demanding too.

It was a packed curriculum at the time.  Not only did you have the basics of English, Maths and Science to cope with, there were lessons in French, I.C.T, R.S, Geography, History, Music, Food Technology, P.E, Drama and Art.  You could see how easy it was for me to be confused!

Sometimes, phrases in pictures speak louder than words in general

Anyway I still thought I was managing the situation okay, until in October – six weeks after the first term began.  The school changed the timetables around and I was put in a lower group of study.  It was called Route 2 as I recall at the time.

Not only was I going to be separated from the friendship network I was building up, it felt like an insult to my intelligence.  I’m not the smartest tool in the box, but I couldn’t fathom why I wasn’t good enough to not be in a higher group. 

I’ve always wanted to challenge myself, and felt this was a massive misjudgement from my secondary school.

I went home that night in floods of tears.  I don’t think I’ve been more devastated than I was that Friday evening in my education history, apart from GCSE results day.  I didn’t care about what people were saying to me that this wasn’t the end of my hopes for the future. 

All I wanted to do was crawl underneath something and stay there.  Half-term was around the corner, so it didn’t matter.

I felt I was considered as a total failure and a write-off.  Those who know me will agree that I have often shown a dramatic side to my personality.

Ultimately, it was the best thing that could have happened to me.  Although I had to deal with a stalking problem from a fellow student who nobody liked, dropping to a lower level meant I was able to cope with the workload much better.

I worked hard, got some decent end-of-year exam results and at the end of the year – got my promotion back to a higher tier of study for Year 9. 

My initial reaction was one of pain, hurt and anger.  In the long run, everything worked out through some hard work, more determination and a stronger side to me that I had probably been lacking in education upto that point.

Taking the positives out of the disappointment

On Monday this week, I got the news I wasn’t hoping for.  I had been turned down for a job I had applied for in media.

It was my first media interview since graduating from the University of Northampton last summer.  All those application rejections, ignored e-mails and unpaid experiences that had turned sour finally had a point.

I don’t want to say too much about the role I was going for, except it would have meant relocation from my current base to the north of England. 

Also, it was an entry level position and one where I felt I met all of the job specifications in the criteria.

I had the interview last week, and felt I did very well.  I was nervous on the day, but I didn’t show it.  I spoke confidently, showed my problem solving skills, explained what I had done before and undergone a written assessment of a high standard.

I left the venue and the area feeling that I had done all that I could.  I couldn’t have done anymore to be honest, and at the end of the day – that’s all you can do in any given situation.

The position was always going to be fiercely competitive, and it ended up going to an individual with more experience in an office environment.

That is no reflection on me, and the feedback I got was very positive.  Sure, I was very disappointed with the outcome.  Who wouldn’t be in that situation, but the experience I’ve taken from this is valuable.

With a degree of luck, I hope it won’t be long before the big breakthrough happens for me.  It’s no good stuffing your face with chocolate and sitting in a corner staring into space.  That’s the quitting option – and that is not an option for yours truly.

If something doesn’t quite go the way you want it to go, it is important to learn from your setbacks and become stronger for them, otherwise we don’t become better people at the end of the day.

Categories: Autumn, Bank, English, Friendship, GCSEs, Job, Life, Marriage, Maths, Media

What is love?

Two weeks have now passed since Valentine’s Day – a day where couples or lovers around the world shower their other half with cuddly bears, flowers, chocolates etc. 

As my ‘singleton’ status hasn’t changed, nor will it likely change in the coming months or years (a non-existent track record is proof) – I thought I would try to untangle the complexness that this question can provide on plenty of our lives. 

There are many descriptions and words we can use for love...

What is love?

Pride and affection

After typing ‘Definition of love’ into the Google search engine, these were the two common terminologies.

As a noun, love is an intense feeling of deep affection.  As a verb, it is feeling a deep romantic or sexual attachment to another individual.

So I thought I would explore both sides of these terminologies.

The first one probably applies to me more, and does for so many others.

There are many feelings we have within our systems, whether it be celebrity crushes, family power or pride and belief in the country you live in, support or even represent.

It might only be a short word with four letters in it, but I’ve often found the word to be embarrassing to say, or difficult to use. 

There are many things with our country that can give cause for deep affection.  Examples could be the Queen and the Royal Family for their noble and gracious service towards Britain.

The scenes last year throughout the summer, both at the Olympic Games and the Diamond Jubilee were picture you were there moments – memories you won’t forget. 

Watching it on TV, I certainly felt affection for the Queen – and I experienced the intense feeling of competitors realising their dreams or having hopes shattered at London 2012, both from a distance and from the BT London Live venues I visited.

There are certain aspects that we can also say we love.  It might be a food that you find irresistible to avoid, a football team that gets the blood veins boiling, a celebrity who just captures your heart, or even a particular holiday destination which took you to another planet away from home comforts.

This term is the easiest to explain, and also the easiest to use when you come around to asking the question of ‘What is love?’

Common and complex

This brings me onto the second aspect and the deeper feelings you could/might feel for another human being.

In life, we all go onto meet amazing people who touch us in different ways.  Sometimes it is a chemistry attraction that can be difficult to explain.

And if you are really lucky, you might find the perfect match and spend a life together happily ever after, like in all those fairytales you heard about growing up.

The reality is it is difficult to admit these feelings, and there has to be a confidence and courage to pluck up and say how you truly feel about the individual standing next or opposite to you.  It must be better this way than via e-mail, text messaging, video calling or social media.

Sometimes it can lead to total rejection, or a dismissive reaction.  Other times, the bravery will reap the rewards.  It is difficult to find the right balance and judge when the time and the place is right to blurt it out.

Of course, things could get awkward should the feelings you have not be reciprocated by the fellow human being, but again that will totally depend on the personality and the approach afterwards.

Love is such a powerful word to use, and in these situations – it has to be used very carefully.  It is okay to admit you have feelings for someone, or approach it saying ‘I’d like us to be more than just friends,’ but until you’ve been with someone – you don’t know what it is really like and that’s the reality.

In my instance, being single is not the greatest feeling in the world at all.  I have hoped I would have found my perfect match by now, but for one reason or another (work, college, University), nothing happened.  That wasn’t for the worth of trying though.

I don’t want to delve too much into my history of feeling love, or shall we say ‘feel different’ in this situation.  My experiences of telling people how I feel haven’t turned out the way I hoped they would. 

Has it knocked my confidence in this department?  Yes it has, without a doubt.  I wish things could have ended different, but it is no good dwelling on everything.  Rewinding the century or the year is not an option, and you must move on in these instances.  Sometimes, it just isn’t meant to be.

Occasionally, you have to go and find love, and that isn’t me.  I don’t do dating websites – so the chances of finding love and settling down with the opposite partner I’d say are slim at best. 

However, you never know what is around the corner.  The people who make you the happiest are often the people you never expect.  When you find love, you must cherish it or it will come back to bite you.

Answering the question

In summary, what does love mean to me?  It means feeling pride, joy and happiness in being surrounded by your passions and interests.  While I might not have found my ‘special one’ (sorry Mr. Mourinho for borrowing your phrase), I can count myself lucky that I have a close network of loving family and caring friends.

And what is love ultimately?  I think I will say that it means different things to pretty much everybody on this planet.

Categories: Britain, Celebrities, Chocolates, Diamond Jubilee, Flowers, Google, Love, Planet, Queen, Valentine's Day

ITV - Better or worse for not having regional identity?

It might have made huge pre-tax profits recently, but back in January of this year, the largest commercial network for Freeview subscribers, ITV decided to have a change of rebrand.

The new ITV logo has received a mixed response

The logo (pictured) was given a makeover, as were the idents into our favourite shows.  There was also a relaunch of the news systems – both of regional outputs and the national picture.

It is around six weeks since the change and it is difficult to see ITV in the position it currently is.  Some of the idents make no sense whatsoever, and if you see your favourite ITV programme – whether that be The Chase, Dancing on Ice, This Morning or Coronation Street – the credits are now in black!  Not all programmes have to have this background, and I for one find it slightly off-putting.

A change was needed, as it had been six years since the last makeover but in my opinion, it is a change for the worst.

It all started to go wrong for ITV in 1991.  The 1990 Broadcasting Act is often overlooked by other key statues that have passed law, such as the Human Rights Act and the Data Protection Act – but it made the corporation into one main channel.

The ITV regions are largely no more, a real shame and a concept I wish we still had on today’s screens.

The aims of the act

The aims of the act were to reform British broadcasting.  It had just been a year after Sky Television had opened up the choice of viewer to the consumer.

Changes included the abolition of the IBA (Independent Broadcasting Authority), the creation of a fifth British terrestrial television channel (Channel 5 in 1997), and the BBC being forced to have 25 per cent of their programming being produced by other companies rather than through their in-house production content.

It also saw the changes in the ITV regional franchises.  Previously, franchises ran for 10-20 years in each ITV region across the UK.  Changes were not frequently made, and when they were, it was on the basis of the quality of programme content.

The ITC made some controversial decisions

Margaret Thatcher, who was prime minister at the time, wanted these new franchises to go solely on the amount of the highest bidder in a 'blind auction.'  After some resistance from senior cabinet members, it was decided that the quality of programme threshold would be included in the ITC’s (Independent Television Commission's) final decision.

This confused many of the regions when it came to auctioning for the rights.  Some put in high bids, others much lower bids knowing they weren’t to be challenged, or felt the programming quality was going to be the ultimate final decision.

The license award

For example, Central Television put in a bid of just £2,000 to keep the popular Midlands region, whilst Scottish Television (knowing they were unopposed), put in a similar bid to guarantee themselves the license north of the border.

In October 1991, the ITC announced which ITV regions would have the commercial licenses to begin on 1 January 1993.

12 of the 16 ITV networks at the time, including Granada, Yorkshire, Anglia and LWT kept their licenses.  Some were challenged, others weren’t.  However, four networks weren’t so lucky.

The biggest loser was Thames Television, who serviced London on weekdays.  They were outbid by CPV-TV (led by Richard Branson) and Carlton Television.  As Carlton were the highest bidder, and Branson’s organisation were disqualified on quality grounds – Carlton got the license.

Thames had it since the late 1960s, and had been the brainchild of quality drama at the time such as The Bill and Minder.  Over 1,000 jobs went as a result of this decision.  Although Thames remained as an independent production company – the ITC’s decision to hand Carlton the license was a total disaster.  In my opinion, it spelt the death of ITV as a regional output.

Gone was the classic Thames jingle, and in came random faces from around London just saying ‘You are watching Carlton’ with some music that to be honest, a baby could do better with! 

800 people lost their jobs at TVS, who had been the holder of the South and South East license for 10 years.  Their bid of £59.8m was deemed too high, as the business plan was deemed not to be suitable.  The smaller Meridian network came in here.  However, it had greater success than TVS, and is probably the only change most agreed with.

That didn’t help the people employed at TVS.  The company was eventually sold to International Family Entertainment a year later.  An independent production company now owns the logo and the abbreviation. 

Like TVS, TSW lost its franchise due to poor business planning.  The South West franchise of Plymouth, Devon and Cornwall went to Westcountry Television, despite them bidding £9m less. 

It didn’t make much difference to the area.  Westcountry’s idents were more catchy and colourful, but the programming quality was limited at best.  As for TSW, they entered a reverse takeover and ultimately entered receivership.

The offices of TV-AM became rather empty after their demise

Breakfast television also got a major change.  TV-AM, who had served the network well in its 10-year existence despite a famous unions strike and early teething problems – lost the national breakfast franchise to Sunrise Television.

The Sunrise Television consortium bid £20m more and got the license on being the highest bidder, leaving TV-AM staff mortified.  The late presenter Mike Morris said he was ‘gutted,’ while owner Bruce Gyngell launched a vicious attack on Sunrise’s business plan.

He said: “I do not believe that Sunrise will have a profitable business plan.  In fact, I predict Sunrise will go bankrupt in 1994.  It is an extraordinary decision.”

Sunrise Television would eventually change its name to GMTV after a dispute with Sky over the use of the Sunrise name.

Whilst GMTV actually went on to do a decent job, many loyal TV-AM audience members were lost because of this decision, and frankly – commercial breakfast television hasn’t been the same since they disappeared from our screens.

Mergers start to emerge

The 1990 Broadcasting Act also relaxed the effect of mergers, and two major players started to come together and totally destroy the ITV regional network.  To Granada and Carlton, all I have to say is congratulations.

The writing was on the wall in 1994 when Carlton took over Central, having been a long-time investor.  Meanwhile Granada became the new owners of LWT.  With the two most popular regional networks bought out by two robotic machines, the domino pattern had been set.

Meridan bought Anglia in the same year, consequently moving the Anglia presentation to Southampton.  This was a strange move considering Anglia outputted areas such as Cambridge, Northampton, Norwich, Luton and Milton Keynes – none of them anywhere near Meridan headquarters. 

Two years later, Carlton killed off Westcountry Television by buying them out and increased their growing stake in Central.  In 1997, Granada’s response was to acquire the Yorkshire-Tyne Tees element.  Although we still had regional news bulletins and regional idents – ITV was swiftly becoming a one network system – and this was killing off its earlier unique identity. 

By 1999, only three ITV regions were now independent, with Granada and Carlton, together with Scottish and United News and Media (owners of Anglia, HTV and Meridan), owning the rest between them.  A new corporate look was identified and launched in 1999 and with it, we waved bye-bye to regional identity.

Three years later, all regions disappeared as ITV became a single network.  The 1990 Broadcasting Act had done its job, and lost channel number three it’s regional identity.

Settling down

Downton Abbey is arguably ITV's biggest hit nowadays

Nowadays, ITV is still home to many top programmes.  The worldwide success of Downton Abbey and emergence of Mr. Selfridge in recent weeks has won critical acclaim. 

The Only Way Is Essex is somehow winning over a large audience following from youngsters, whilst Coronation Street and Emmerdale still attract massive figures.

ITV is also the home for live terrestrial football, and do a solid if unspectacular job of giving the footy lover live FA Cup, UEFA Champions League and England internationals for free.

And there are other mainstay programmes still going strong such as This Morning, but others haven’t been so lucky.

The Bill faded and faced demise, classic entertainment like Catchphrase, Gladiators, You Bet, Blind Date and Stars in Their Eyes were ditched for much of the reality content we have on today.

News at Ten has been fluctuating in the on/off position for the past two decades.  The way ITV have fiddled around with its news content is baffling at best, considering the BBC has only made one main change (moving the late news to 10 o’clock from 9) in the past 30 years.

Athletics, Formula One and Boxing were eliminated, meaning ITV Sport should be renamed ITV Football (oh wait, they tried that and nearly left the Football League in financial ruin).

And other programmes went without a fight.  Home & Away was passed off to Channel Five without any consideration, Who Wants to Be A Millionaire got so predictable that it has sadly been forgotten about far too easily, and there is no place at all for other cracking shows in the mid-80s/90s like World of Sport, Through the Keyhole, Blockbusters, Crossroads, Peak Practice, Spitting Image, Bullseye, The Krypton Factor, Heartbeat and World in Action.

Is ITV in a stronger place than it was back in the 1990s?  That is open to debate.  I don’t think it is to be honest.  Advertising revenues are down and I reckon it has lost its unique identity.

Some of the changes in the 1990 Broadcasting Act were made for the better of British television, but the demise of the ITV regions is something that is missed.

I will finish with a reminder of some of those cracking regional idents from TV’s real heyday of the 1990s.

Categories: 1990, Broadcasting Act, Freeview, ITV, January, Margaret Thatcher, Midlands, The Chase, TV-AM

Auckland – A guide to what’s on offer in 2013

By Simon Wright

Auckland offers a spectacular backdrop when the sun sets

With 32 per cent of the country’s population, the city of Auckland in New Zealand has plenty of stunning sightseeing locations, a settled and lovely climate, and some wonderful accommodation that makes visitors feel like they are at home.

Popular with locals and tourists, Auckland provides the perfect setting for some cultural festivals, along with some addictive hobbies, and the right blend of tradition and modernity.

There is no extreme weather climate, and as New Zealand is located in the Southern Hemisphere, it experiences opposites in weather to what is seen in the Northern Hemisphere. 

This means that summer is at the start of the year, and winter arrives in July/August time, a period where it is meant to be warmer in the north. 

January

The Southern Hemisphere is in the midst of its summer during the month of January, and Auckland in New Zealand is no exception. With breathtakingly beautiful scenery, loads of fun-packed activities to keep people busy and appealing weather, Auckland is a great place for a memorable holiday. Sunshine is prevalent in Auckland during this time of year, and 14 hours of daylight can be expected. Temperatures normally hover around 22 degrees Celsius, a couple of degrees above the usual January average. The weather is warm and sunny, while the sea water temperature sits at 32 Fahrenheit, as it does all year. So, it means that the temperature is very ideal for a gentle soak, rather than an endurance swim.

Accommodation wise, one of the best places to stay at all-year round is the Hotel DeBrett.  This hotel is right in the heart of the city centre. Style and class are the two main aims of this carefree environment. It is the perfect location to be near the wide choice of delicious restaurants and bars of Viaduct Harbour, and is surrounded by theatres and art galleries. Also, there is nearby facilities for swimming, sailing, tennis and golf. A good alternative choice would be the SKYCITY Hotel for those who prefer sticking to a budget. This accommodation offers plenty of space, and is seriously good value for money.   

Always bustling with events, Auckland is no exception in January. Top of the bill is the Auckland Seafood Festival in Halsey Wharf. Whether this event is for a regular visitor or a newcomer, the Auckland Anniversary Weekend becomes even tastier after this experience. This festival is the ultimate party when it comes to seafood, a popular pastime in New Zealand. It won’t just be the food, with a wide selection of entertainers performing, plus the chance to enjoy local beers and wines.

February

The weather climate in February is fairly stable in Auckland in comparison to January. In fact, visitors to this destination will be more likely to experience an extra hour of sunshine than they would in January, and two less days of rainfall. The average temperature in the month is once again 20 degrees Celsius, the same average as January’s temperature. Humidity in the area is at 75 per cent for the month. The nights are mild, and it is this time of year where the love of water sports, a favourite hobby with many locals really shines through.

What Auckland doesn’t lack is the vast amount of accommodation destinations available to the visitors of the country. Each hotel varies in facilities and star quality, to hotel cost and customer service. For those who want to stay in the area, and not have to pay astronomical prices, one suggestion is the Nomads Auckland on Fort Street. The Nomads Auckland is a historic building which embraces style and is an easy place to relax for travellers. The atmosphere is friendly within the hostel, and it is located closely to both the main train station and the Viaduct Harbour, meaning getting around to different places is easy. With average prices starting at £35 a night, this is one of the best around should you be looking for cheap, but fantastic accommodation.

The main event in February to experience is the Auckland Lantern Festival, which takes place in Albert Park across the final Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the month. It is a weekend for all the family which sees China invade New Zealand for three days. Auckland’s 14^th annual Lantern Festival sees the locals be entertained by classical music groups, amazing lantern decorations and some Shanghai acrobatics. 2013 is the Chinese New Year of the Snake, and any excuse for a party is well worth it for this occasion. 

March

March sees summer end in New Zealand and autumn begin. The average temperature drops a degree from February, to 19 degrees Celsius in March. The start of a new season means the amount of average rainfall increases in Auckland. Two extra days of rain is the average in March, and the amount of rainfall increases to 40mm. Despite the slender drop in temperature, there is still plenty of sunshine, and the cooler environment does lead to some magnificent scenery as the leaves begin to change colour on the trees.

A good choice of accommodation in March would be the City Towers resort in Central Auckland. With generally excellent reviews from previous visitors, this apartment complex offers 33 rooms, some with newly refurbished studio and garden apartments. A friendly staff within the complex will make sure that any issue will be solved. It really does feel like a place away from home.

The stars of world speedway will visit in March

The month of March provides plenty of events. Two standouts really will whet the appetite for those who like a good time, or prefer their sport. In late March, the cream of world speedway visit Auckland for the FIM Speedway Grand Prix at Western Springs. Featuring four world champions in the 2013 field, including double champion, American Greg Hancock, who won the inaugural Grand Prix on this track. Speedway provides plenty of thrills and excitement for the spectators, along with some tremendous action from the world’s finest. On the same day (23 March), the New Zealand Beer Festival, a sell-out in 2012, returns with top focus being an exciting entertainment line-up that is yet to be announced. It also gives the chance for all visitors to try out 125 local beers and ciders. This event is one of the best to mix beer, music and food together.

April

April sees a climate in Auckland that is static to what March produces. Although the country is still in autumn, daily sunshine hours are higher at this time of the year than what they would be in the summer months of January and February. With an average of nine hours per day, this means that it is still a beautiful time of year to swim, especially with the consistency of the sea temperatures. Despite the increased sunshine tourists will likely experience in April, the spread of average rainfall increases to 15 days a month. New Zealand’s general precipitation is actually relatively high, with between 640mm to 1500mm evenly spread throughout a calendar year.

April’s choice of accommodation will put tourists near the tranquil harbour setting on Quay Street. The Copthorne Hotel is right on the waterfront and offers one of the best views you can get of the harbour. All rooms offer broadband internet for those who can’t stay away from social media while on a deserved break and a wide choice of drink, from tea and coffee making facilities to the tempting mini bar. The Copthorne Hotel offers easy access into the shopping district, while The Tactics Bar inside the venue is one of the best to get together before sampling the enthusiasm of a great Auckland night out. This is the place to stay if landscape and setting are near the top of your list when thinking about accommodation preferences.

   

On the entertainment front, it is music concerts that lead the April highlights. The legendary Bryan Adams returns to New Zealand for two special music performances, and one of them will be in Auckland. Adams has sold over 65 million records in the past 15 years, and is one of the most established names in the music business. This will be his first performance in New Zealand in 15 years, as he will perform his highly praised ‘Bare Bones’ acoustic tour. If Bryan Adams can’t get people excited, Black Sabbath surely must. One of heavy metal’s most famous bands will be performing their first New Zealand show in nearly 40 years, including Ozzy Osbourne – Mr. Prince of Darkness. To complete a real nostalgic feel to the month, the ‘Shutter’ exhibition finishes in April – so don’t miss the chance to go through a history of iconic cameras. See where photography started from the very beginning to today’s digital age at the Museum of Transport & Technology.

May

Sunshine is a predominant nature of the annual climate in Auckland

As autumn starts to reach its conclusion, the amount of sunshine hours does increase, but the average temperature starts to drop rapidly. An average high temperature in May of 17 degrees Celsius is considerably lower than the 20 degrees Celsius, 68 degrees Fahrenheit in April. The average rainfall increases in the month from 40mm to 50mm, spread across 17 days in the month – more than 50 per cent. The average humidity in Auckland climbs up to 85 per cent during May, which is the joint highest in the calendar year.

One of the smaller accommodation venues is Mollies, but that doesn’t mean to say that this is a bad thing. It might only hold 13 rooms, but is highly recommended for romantic couples who want to get away from it all to Auckland. Within this venue is a breakfast service which is second to none, and some interesting and creative artist work.

In comparison to some other months in 2013, May’s entertainment is quieter despite a range of classes that actually take place throughout the year. One of the main highlights is the Auckland Writers & Readers Festival at the Aotea Centre. The festival will welcome over 100 international and local writers in a variation of lectures and group discussions, and is an event not to be missed by literature lovers and fiction book anoraks. 

June

As the world enters the halfway mark of an annual year, New Zealanders get prepared for their winter which provides a mixture of glorious sunshine, along with some heavy rain showers. The average temperature in June drops to 12 degrees Celsius, two degrees lower than what it is likely to be in May. The lowest average temperature in May falls below double figures to nine degrees Celsius. With Auckland in the north of the country, more rainfall is expected throughout the winter months, due to its geographical location. However, the average rainfall in June of 50mm is exactly the same as it is in May.

New Zealand and Auckland itself is a popular location for backpackers, and one of the best places to stay for this type of person is the eco-friendly City Lodge Accommodation which is walking distance from the main City Hall. Built as recently as 2005, this hostel will provide the room basics, such as high-speed internet access and refrigerators, but is one of the best accommodation venues for value, and keep visitors right at the heart of the city.

One of June’s leading events takes place at Queen Street. The Auckland Theatre Company looks more into the life and legacy of Henry VIII’s second wife, Anne Boleyn. This isn’t just a celebration of her life, but also a shrewd look into her ideas during the Tudor days. Historical lovers must see this, while the more creative individuals should check out The Auckland Art & Craft Fair, which takes place again this year – three years after a show-stopping debut.

July

The average amount of rainfall in Auckland increases to 60mm during the month of July, which is the wettest month of an annual year. Despite the added rainfall, sunshine hours remain at an average of 10 hours per day. The winter months in New Zealand can bring snow to the areas, although this is more restricted to the mountainous areas rather than further inland. Sea temperatures remain at the same during the year, although the time for regular swimming has disappeared by now.

Those who need to experience a holiday whilst sticking to a tight budget should consider staying at the Quality Hotel Parnell. This hotel is a basic, but nice atmosphere for the family to stay in, while enjoying everything what Auckland has to offer, and is a short walk to the Parnell district, which is full of shops and restaurants. 

July’s main event is the 2013 UCI BMX World Championships. This event is the finale of the world championship season, and is a non-stop spectacle of belting action and inevitably, some dramatic crashes. The world’s best BMX riders will be in attendance for the first time in New Zealand. A popular Olympic event, you could see some of the stars to look out for at the Rio Olympics in 2016.

August

July is on average, the coldest month of the year and the time when the most rainfall occurs. By the time August comes round, the winter season is coming to an end. Therefore, it is the perfect time for keen recreational addicts to take to the mountains and experience the thrill of skiing. For those who prefer a lovely landscape, scenic beauty is at its finest in winter, with mountains and glaciers covered in snow making the area a picturesque dream. As far as weather is concerned in Auckland, the highest average temperature increases by one degree to 15 degrees Celsius, and the amount of average sunlight reaches 11 hours.

If going away means you want to appreciate true modernity, staying at the Auckland Takapuna Oaks is close enough to total bliss. This new five-star location features some world class views of the captivating Auckland waterfront, alongside furnished balconies and even docks for I-Pods. 97 per cent of guests recommend staying here on Expedia, and it is hard not to disagree with them, when complimentary benefits include ferry tickets and continental breakfasts. There are plenty of great benefits to staying at this accommodation choice.

August begins with New Zealand’s national food and wine event, The Food Show. As well as visiting Wellington and Christchurch, The Food Show stops off in Auckland, providing a mixture of cracking chefs showing off their culinary skills, and promotion of a degree of the latest gadgets that can be used in the kitchen. Plus everyone can come to try out a mammoth range of delicious international and local foods, smooth and rich coffees, and wines that have the flavour and thirsting quench.

September

Springtime arrives in Auckland in September, and not only does it see the signs of green leaves and flowers growing in the countryside, it sees the climate start to pick up. However, New Zealand’s general spring weather still can attract the opposite ends of the spectrum. For example, it can be cold and frosty on one day, to being sunny and hot the very next. While the temperatures only gradually start to pick up, the amount of sunshine expected in a normal day increases to an impressive 11 hours, and the rainfall average drops down from 50mm to 40mm.

On Hobson Street is the Heritage Auckland hotel which offers a carefree approach towards life. It isn’t as modernised as some hotels within the vicinity, but the quality artwork on the walls makes up for that, and with room service, a swimming pool and good money value thrown in; this place does offer a chilled approach towards any kind of holiday.

Top dog in September’s event highlights in Auckland is the Auckland Pet & Animal Expo. Held at a new venue of the ASB Showgrounds in Greenlane, the promise is for the 2013 extravaganza to be even “bigger and better.” In attendance will be hundreds of pet products, alongside attractions and demonstrations that will grab the attention for everyone. This is the main attraction for those crazy about animals, but the visiting public are not allowed to bring their own pets.

October

October sees a warmer and more settled climate for the Auckland region, with consistent sunshine levels and temperatures beginning to return to the height they would be in the Kiwi summer. Average temperature in October in Auckland is approximately 15 degrees Celsius or 58 degrees Fahrenheit. On sunny days, the temperature could reach 17 or 18 degrees. Those who are into their white water rafting, October is the right time to visit the bustling harbour and peaceful lakes. The snow melts frequently and this makes river water levels spectacularly and thrillingly high. Average humidity is still at 80 per cent, only five per cent lower than the highest levels during the year.   

Auckland offers a brilliant range of accommodation which caters for all kinds of traveller. Another popular choice is the Stadium Waldorf Apartments Hotel. A hotel near the Auckland waterfront, this stay could be the one for those who like to train, with a swimming pool and an indoor fitness centre. This is another location that is walking distance to many restaurants and supermarkets in the area, and offers all-day comfort and a modernised feel to all tourists.

In October, the legendary classical artist Andre Rieu is returning Down Under, and he will be performing in Auckland on 25 October. His 2011 tour was ranked by Billboard as the ninth highest grossing tour of that year, just behind the more recognised Lady Gaga. On a global scale, Rieu and his impressively tuned 60-piece Johann Strauss Orchestra have received 330 platinum awards and sold over 32 million albums. These figures definitely show that people find him an easy artist to listen to. Auckland visitors can get the chance to enjoy a comforting and peaceful evening at the opera. For those who prefer to head to Auckland to conduct business, check out the Business Opportunities and Franchise Expo. Having served the community for 18 years, this is an important expo for the business industry, and those visiting can get sound and insightful advice on investing, especially in an economic crisis that doesn’t seem to be getting any easier for the majority of us.

November

If you like your sunshine for a holiday break, make Auckland your destination to visit in November. On hot days, the amount of sunshine will be 11 hours on average, and often will be more than that. The average temperatures still hover around the 16 degrees Celsius mark, but higher temperatures would be expected at the end of spring in Auckland. With the settled sea temperature levels during the year, November is the month where the swimmers return for their leisurely or sometimes, competitive swims. 

There is plenty of luxury in terms of Auckland accommodation

Connected to the Auckland Convention Centre, the Rendezvous Grand Hotel is very close to the buzzing nightlife of Karangahape Road, and is near enough to get around and explore the vast array of shops. The hotel itself is an ideal destination to stay for those who are doing business in the city, or enjoy the leisure activities. With a 25 metre indoor swimming pool, sauna and health club, fitness fans will be blessed, and it is a great location for either a quick stopover or for an enjoyable holiday.

The Auckland Highland Games always offer a sense of atmosphere, on a day where Scotland is the main theme of the day. This one-day event at the Three Kings Reserve will have a wide choice of food stalls, clothing and jewellery – combined with Highland sports and games, drummers and of course, kilts. This is the perfect day for any Scot to be here. You don’t need to Visit Scotland, Visit the Auckland Highland Games instead!

December

While most families will prefer staying at home for Christmas in the UK, others prefer to get away to hotter destinations for the festive season. December marks the start of the Southern Hemisphere summer season, so if New Zealand is the preferred destination for an individual or family, scorching temperatures and sunshine are almost certain to be a guarantee. The beaches get packed with swimmers, water sport lovers and those who just want to get a decent proper tan. In Auckland, high temperatures are likely to peak at 21 degrees Celsius, while the amount of rainfall is reduced to 30mm a month – a small figure when New Zealand’s precipitation figures are considered.

At Christmas time, the majority of us like to enjoy the traditional food cravings of turkey and roast potatoes. If that’s the case, you will be spoilt for choice at The Langham, which is within 1km of Albert Park and the University of Auckland. There are four types of room available, along with a day spa, and a food menu to really get you hungry. The Eight Restaurant offers eight international kitchens, and the chance to sample many worldwide cuisines, from Japanese and Chinese, to Indian and French.

While in Auckland, make sure to get out on the water. There are activities aplenty in the summer months, from peaceful harbour cruises to those who prefer the adrenaline buzz of the Auckland Adventure Jet on the popular Waitemata Harbour. If two wheels is your preferred method of travel, then hire a bike for a day, and take a pleasurable ride along the glorious waterfront, or head for the bustling Waiheke region. Also while in town, enjoy a variety of quality music at the welcomed Acoustic Song & Music session. Held every Monday at the Thirsty Dog and with free admission for all ages, everyone is welcomed to come and listen or even play songs from all kinds of genres. While it is summer weather in this region, it is Christmas time too in Auckland.

Categories: Auckland, Holiday, July, Museum, New Zealand, Southern Hemisphere, Speedway, Technology, Temperature, Weather