Of course its the perfect beach and beer day!

So its that time of year again where the council and police try to seperate the irrisponsible from the responsible, luckily, this is only deemed necessary for 11 days in a 12 month period.

Queenstown has a huge drinking culture, during summer that involves heading to the parks, gardens and town centre beach to embark on movie style fun and frollicks. As new year approaches, this becomes more of a horror movie than a rom-com, so a 24 hour ban is in place to help normal people go about their business while party people are confined to the wings. Every other day of the year you are banned from drinking in the streets between 10pm-8am.

As you may or may not know, the weather this summer has been decidely ugly on the whole but as I sit and write this in the early hours of the 27th (the day the liquor ban comes into force), I am shielding my eyes from the sun and having to squint through the glare on my screen as a real bluebird day is dawning before my eyes... perfect weather to go to the beach with a 6 pack and hang out with friends, but not today or, indeed, for the following 10 days.

It seems harsh at times, not to be allowed to drink when and where we want, but I know in a few days time the busses and cars will be rolling into town with alcohol fuelled students, travellers and fun seekers from New Zealand and all around the world, then I will be happy I have a clear path to work as they drunkenly yell at passers by from hotel and hostel rooms overlooking the town. The ones who live here are lucky enough to have the rest of the summer to enjoy our beaches, parks and gardens with a beer or two and friends. That makes these 11 days worthwhile.