Good Morning Sunners and welcome to a tip top morning.

It looks like it is going to be rainy and windy all day, with heavy rain falls expected and strong easterlies as well as possible thunderstorms in the evening.

However, don't let that get you down- today is Ice Cream Day!

New Zealanders have got it licked, leading the world in per capita ice cream consumption, and today is an excuse for a few more licks than usual.

With 23 kilograms of ice cream being consumed per person annually, New Zealand is well ahead of the United States which consumes 15 kilograms of ice cream per person annually.

Even our Australian neighbours have trans-Tasman ice cream envy, importing around 1.5 million tonnes of our ice cream last year.

The Japanese, however, are the biggest importers of New Zealand made ice cream, tipping the scales at 3.8 million tonnes in 2017.

While the Jersey cow has the highest milk fat percentage, ideal for producing delicious ice cream, the Friesian breed of dairy cow proudly sports our national colours with a splash of black and white.

This reminds us that of course New Zealand is world-famous for many things, including the quality of our dairy products.

It all starts with our dairy cows, which are grass fed and carefully bred to ensure they produce the best milk. Our innovative manufacturing technology is also well-respected.

The New Zealand Ice Cream Manufacturers' Association says that ice cream is defined as a ‘sweet frozen food made from cream and/or milk products and other foods' - and that it must consist of no less than 100g/kg of milk fat, which is music to the ears of New Zealand's dairy cows.

More scoops of wisdom:

- The ancient Greeks were the first to concoct an icy dessert that food historians say heralded the modern ice cream.

- It takes approximately three litres of full milk to produce one litre of ice cream.

- There are about 50 licks in a single scoop.

- New Zealand ice cream lovers cite vanilla as their top flavour, with our world-famous hokey pokey and boysenberry also being favourites.

Sunday 15 July

2018 Festival Concert
Tauranga Performing Arts Competitions Society presents a variety showcase. 2pm, Addison Theatre, Baycourt. For more info & tickets go to www.baycourt.co.nz

Accordion-Keyboard
Oldtime Music-makers at Welcome Bay Hall 3rd Sunday every month 1-4pm. All welcome. $3 entry & Ladies a plate please. Phone Ces Joy 544 3849

Art & Artisan Fair
Last Sunday of month indoors at Black Sheep SH2 & Plummers Pt Rd Whakamarama. Original local art art craft artisan products.

Bible Seminar
1:45pm Greerton Senior Citizens' Hall, Maitland St, Greerton. Title 'How is Jesus a man & God's son.” Interactive, Q&A. All welcome. Vic 543 0504

BOP Oodle Club
Socialise your dog and meet other dog lovers! Meets first Sunday of each month from 2-3pm at Fergusson Park (Beach Road end). All breeds welcome.

Corkers Toastmasters
Find Your Voice meets 3rd Sunday of month at The Zone Cafe (upstairs), Owens Place, Mount Maunganui at 2pm. Inquiries to Chrissy 027 296 7939

Croquet
Croquet at Tauranga Domain, Cameron Rd, Sun, Tues, Fri 12.45 for 1pm start. Beginners welcome. Peter 571 0633

Free Taichi classes
Learn the Art of Taichi, made easy. Absolutely free. Hosted by Richard Johnson .Wu Kwan Chen Taichi. Tauranga Senior Citizens Club. 7pm Ph Richard 021 0236 5472

Golden oldies rugby
Golden Oldies rugby needs you. Tauranga Old Stars needs new players. For fun games, post match celebrations & social activities email taurangaoldstars@gmail.com for more info

Living in Harmony SriLanka
Sri Lanka culture, art & food. 17th July at St. Enoch Church hall 7-9pm. Bring plate with food for potluck dinner, donations. Ph 571 6419 or Ewa on 027 670 0700

Messy Church
4-6pm, Theme Goodness, All ages welcome, games& activities& dinner included.Holy Trinity Church, 3rd Ave Tauranga

Messy Church Community
Looking for something creative, messy, stories, prayer, games, all ages? 4-6pm at 53 Te Okuroa Dr Papamoa. Dinner provided. Koha appreciated. Julie 0274 205 375 http://www.communityofstaidan.com/

New Zealand Chamber Soloists
Presented by Tauranga Musica. At Graham Young Youth Centre, Tauranga Boys' College, Cameron Road at 4pm. For more information www.tgamusica.co.nz

Papamoa Outdoor Bowls
All welcome to our Roll Up's Sun & Wed register at 1230 commences 1pm. Come & experience outdoor bowls. Gordon Spratt Reserve. Ph 574 0177

Radio Controlled Model Yachts
Sundays & Thursdays 1:30pm, in pond behind 24 Montego Drive Papamoa, sailing Electron Yachts for fun. Adult beginners welcome. Graham 572 5419

Spiritual Centre Psychic Cafe
Greerton Community Hall. Doors open 6:45pm starts 7pm. One time fee $10. Psychics, Healers, Spiritualists & free refreshments. See what the buzz is about. Kevin 578 7205

Tauranga Long Walks Group
Tauranga Otumoetai walk 14km (2.5 hours). Meet front of QE2 Centre, Memorial Park, 11th Ave 8am. Starting point varies. Ph Sue 021 925971 or see facebook.

Tauranga Writers Sunday Focus
Elisabeth Poppe, 11 years research, her book REVAMP: Rewire Aging. 2-4pm, Greerton Library. All welcome. $10, refreshments inc ($5TW) 028 406 3240 taurangawritersnz@gmail.com

TePuke Country Music Club
1pm at Te Puke Citz & RSA Club. Come along to hear some good ol' country music! All welcome. Ph Gayle 573 8255