Spring is the most frustrating of the seasons. Electric with sunshine one day and bitter with cold the next, Mother Nature at this time of year is a bitch. It’s now that I start to look for signs that the winter is indeed done, because neither the weather nor the calendar reassure.

There are the botanical signals, like cherry blossoms and lilacs, and the culinary cues, like Girl Guide cookies and spot prawns. There are also the craft fairs, garage sales and farmer’s markets. Oh, and spring dresses. I especially like those.

But the one thing that most solidly indicates to me that summer is nigh is my first sighting of Alfresco Vineyard Dining poster from Joy Road Catering (by local artist Dale Nigel Goble). Look for it at you local wine shop. It screams of summer, as if the Art Nouveau text and graphic work were testimonies from the soil itself. It’s no small coincidence that I first saw it on a beautiful day.

If you get the opportunity to get up to God’s Mountain to sup from chefs Cameron Smith & Dana Ewart’s genius, take it. In the meantime – hang on. Warmer days are coming.