In fact, the sigh of relief will almost be as big as that which Murrumbateman winemaker Ken Helm and his wife Judith let out each evening this summer when that refreshing easterly breeze that we often get after a hot day in Canberra arrived at their vineyard. You know, that blustery breeze which often drops the mercury by ten degrees in only half an hour and sends just about everyone in our region, who just minutes early was sweating it out, scurrying for a jacket.

This semi-regular evening easterly is known by a number of nick-names each relating to its geographical origin – the south coast. Some call it the 'Clyde Chiller' and others the 'Braidwood Bliss', but out Murrumbateman way it's referred to as 'The Bateman's Breath' [after Batemans Bay]. What's more, according the Helms, "it's not just a welcome wind, rather the very essence for the success of our wines".

In an attempt to understand why the easterly is so critical to the quality of our local wines, earlier this week I headed out into the wilds of Murrumbateman to the picturesque Nanima Valley, home of Helm Wines.

I arrive a good two-hours before sunset and with the temperature still hovering in the low 30s, I join the Helms on their outdoor deck, where, after a long hot day toiling amongst their 15 hectares of vines, the convivial couple are partaking in their summer evening ritual of awaiting the arrival of the 'Bateman's Breath'.

"I've kept records of when it has arrived for many years," says the moustached Helm as he hands me a glass of his award-winning Riesling. How can I refuse? All for the purposes of the story, of course.

"Although it's never guaranteed, on those evenings when the Bateman's Breath does arrive, it's usually between 650pm and 7pm," says Helm wiping a bead of sweat from his forehead and looking expectantly at his watch.

"It's only 630," says his wife, adding "plenty of time for a top-up" as she refills my glass which like some desert-dwelling dehydrated Neanderthal I'd already half-emptied.

"It's a phenomena which occurs in other wine growing areas around the world and is very important for its effect on our vines," explains Helm, adding "it's mainly to do with the coolness it brings."

"Grapevines like continental climates; warm sunny days and cool nights and the Bateman's Breath gives that to us – without it our nights would be too warm to produce quality grapes," explains Helm.

However according to Helm, the cooling effect is the only benefit the Bateman's Breath brings. "It also brings salt," he says.

"Years ago when I first smelt the salt on the Bateman's Breath, I thought I was kidding myself until I spoke to others like Sue and Dave Carpenter at Lark Hill Winery [near Bungendore] who also smell the salt, especially if it's a strong easterly," explains Helm.

"The influence of a maritime atmosphere in growing cabernet is well-known and before I realised the significance of the Bateman's Breath I considered spraying salt on the vines," says Helm, adding "but after a while I realised we get it naturally here so there's no need to spray".

"Some people in Canberra think I'm crazy when I tell them I can smell it, but if it's here in Murrumbateman, it has to also be in the air over Canberra suburbs too," explains Helm, adding "over Canberra it's probably masked by a mix of other smells associated with cities."

While debating the logistics of smelling salt-laced wind over a hundred kilometres from the beach, time gets away. A quick glance at my watch reveals it's already five to seven.

"Doesn't look like it'll come in tonight," I announce, somewhat disparagingly. "Be patient Tim, be patient", responds Helm who between nervous glances to the eastern horizon recalls the time the Bateman's Breath helped local firefighters.

"It was back in 1975, and a stinking hot afternoon with a strong northerly fanning a fire which roared towards Gunning," recalls Helm.

"Instead of racing to the fire front like other brigades, our local firies lit a back burn on the eastern flank and went to the pub for a drink," discloses Helm, adding, "and sure enough the Bateman's Breath soon arrived and the flames blew towards the fire break putting itself out."

At that moment, as if on cue, the leaves in gum trees atop the near eastern ridge start to rustle.

"Here she comes", assert the Helms in unison.

"Ahhh, feel that breeze on your face!" exclaims Helm, adding "enjoy it, with only a few days left in February it might one of the last of the season."

After such a long, hot summer. I'll definitely raise a glass to that.

Fact File

It's all in a name: According to Simon Louis, a meteorologist with the Bureau of Meteorology, our cooling summer breeze is officially referred to as 'The Canberra Easterly'. "We might be lacking in imagination," admits Louis, adding, "we could probably adopt one of its nicknames, I especially like the Braidwood Bliss."

What causes it? While not technically a sea breeze, according to Louis, "The Canberra Easterly' is a gravity wave caused by cooler sea air building up against the eastern slopes rushing in underneath a hot inland air mass."

How far inland does it extend? "As it can be self-perpetuating, a really strong Canberra Easterly can extend as far inland as Wagga Wagga, bringing residents of the Riverina town relief from the heat as late as midnight," explains Louis.

What about the salt? There may be science to Helm's theory after all. According to Louis "it's a maritime air mass that triggers it, so it's completely plausible it also carries salt."

Wind Warnings: The main two industries (apart, of course, from wine!) that are impacted by the Canberra Easterly are boaters on inland waterways and the aviation sector. "The arrival of the Canberra Easterly means that air traffic controllers have to change which direction flights are coming in on Canberra runway" explains Louis.

Despite living in the same street in Chapman for almost 35 years, Kerry and Bill Weatherstone only recently noticed this striking rock 'face' located just across from their house on Cooleman Ridge.

"For obvious reasons, we have given him the name Rocky Weatherstone," report the Chapman pair.

Last week's exposé on goannas flushed out a number of reports from readers of the Rosenberg's Monitor, but still no recent reports of the Lace Monitor within ACT borders.

Of particular note is Jenny McLeod's sighting of this Rosenberg's "just a couple of weeks ago in Orroral Valley in Namadgi National Park".

"It wasn't very happy to be spotted, and gave an audible "humph" as it headed for cover, but glared at us for long enough for me to snap a couple of shots," reports McLeod, adding "I think it's the first goanna I've seen in the ACT."

McLeod just did well to see it – look how well it is camouflaged against that rock. "It did blend in quite well - another reason why they aren't seen much, I guess," muses McLeod.

While there have been no recent reports of the rarer Lace Monitor in the ACT, Cid Riley, of Tarago, "gave some water to a heat stressed one while fighting a fire near Lake Bathurst last year.

Don't tell me the Lace Monitor is now extinct within ACT borders?

Hole in Wall

Prompted by this column's feature highlighting the natural wonders of Booderee National Park (Beautiful Booderee, January 14 ), a number of readers, including John P. Baker, of Latham, submitted their own photos of the naturally-occurring 'Hole in Wall' located near Murrays Beach.

The mystery however remains as to what year the arch collapsed, transforming the 'hole' into a 'gap'. "My sunset photo was taken 24th April 1990, obviously sometime after the arch had collapsed," explains Baker.

Does anyone know when the arch collapsed?

If feedback is the yardstick, by far and away this column's most –read musings to-date was a search for the region's best meat pies (Best pies from Canberra to the Coast, 13 July 13, 2013). Hardly a day goes by that an email doesn't lob into my inbox, from a pie connoisseur deliberating or salivating over the best (and worst!) rated pies between Canberra and the coast.

These include, Emma Burns, of Wollongong, who in an attempt to ward off hunger and boredom pains, during a recent road trip, set out to find the best chunky steak and curry pie between her home town and Warrnambool in Victoria.

Her clear winner was Hayden's Pies at Ulladulla. "Real delicious chunky beef, not too much gravy, pastry delicious and all stayed in place until the last mouthful," boasts Burns, who unfortunately didn't taste-test a pie from this column's top gong winner, the East Lynne Store (on the Princes Highway, about 15 km north of Batemans Bay).

WHERE IN THE REGION?

Clue: The road south.

Degree of difficulty: Medium

Last week: Congratulations to June McCluskey, of Latham, who was first to correctly identify last week's photo, sent in by Di Roberts as a scene in the isolated Monaro hamlet of Jerangle, located to the north east of Bredbo. McCluskey recognised the location after attending a CWA (Canberra Branch) meeting in Jerangle some years ago.

On Saturday March 4, Jerangle Public School, one of the smallest schools in NSW, celebrates 125 years. The school actually should be celebrating 133 years but confusion around its name (it was once known as Little Plain School) led to the school missing its centenary by eight years. According to Roberts, "The community has continued the tradition and is now eight years late for the 125th anniversary," adding "the official ceremony will start at 11am with plaque unveiling and cake cutting, followed by lunch, old fashioned games, jumping castle, art display and live music. For further information please contact jernagle.history.book@gmail.com or the school on 02 6454 3127.

How to enter: Email your guess along with your name and address to timtheyowieman@bigpond.com. The first email sent after 10am, Saturday February 25, 2017, with the correct answer wins a double pass to Dendy cinemas.

CONTACT TIM: Email: timtheyowieman@bigpond.com or Twitter: @TimYowie or write c/- The Canberra Times, 9 Pirie Street, Fyshwick. You can see a selection of past columns online.