Extreme Weather

It rained all last weekend and it has rained most of this weekend. Both Sunday temperatures plunged to 15°C and were windy as well. Today the whole North Island copped the remnants of Cyclone Dovi with flooding, wind damage and cool temperatures. But it hasn't been too depressing for me because I have been on annual leave and enjoyed the sunshine and being outdoors during the week. I was productive during the rain and made two skirts. I was productive during the fine weather and tackled several garden jobs. I did the Nikau Reserve up and down twice on Wednesday morning and sweated buckets. The temperature reached 28°C that day but the view from the top was excellent (twice). 

The wait for Omicron to dig its claws into the country seems to be coming to an end. In the past few days the number of cases has risen sharply from 200 to 810 daily cases (a week later on 20/2 there are 2522 cases). Café Lane and a Thai restaurant have been named as the first locations of interest in Kapiti. Fortunately Alison finished working at Café Lane a few weeks ago. The protestors outside Parliament are living in a sea of mud after the weekend rain (photo from Stuff below). It would be ironic if Covid spread through that unmasked, unvaccinated group but I guess that's a risk they are willing to take.    

 

 

Castlepoint

Making the most of another perfect January day to visit another spot on the Wairarapa Coast - Castlepoint. It's not the first time I've visited. The first was on a family camping trip but my main memory of that trip is the awning ripping in fierce wind and we retreated to the Patrick's farm at Gladstone. My second visit was with a group of colleagues from Mt Ruapehu and we visited to watch the annual horse race along the beach. This time it was to explore the area and enjoy the fabulous scenery. There are lots of interesting rock formations and we climbed Castle Rock for wonderful views north and south along the coast. A first for me on this trip was travelling via the Akatarawas. It's a single lane, winding road with blind corners. I'm glad Simon was driving while I enjoyed the forest view and tried not to look at each upcoming corner. 

A Winning Day

 A routine day today that finished with a little flourish. Sometimes you have to enjoy the wins when you can get them, no matter how small, and today the stars were aligned for a run of small wins. 

• A 3/1 win against Gill at squash today. I'm slowing down against her as time goes by but today I proved I can still enjoy a good win if I follow a couple of basic rules - play long and tight, and get back to the T.
• No strikes needed to win Stuff's three strike trivia test. All correct on the first attempt.
• Solved Wordle on the second word even with only one correct letter (and not in the correct place) on the first line.
• 15/15 for the Stuff Quiz. Woohoo!

I'm on a roll. Maybe I should buy a Lotto ticket.

Omicron and Covid Red Light

Following the confirmation of several Omicron cases in Motueka the whole country has moved the the Red Traffic Light setting today. We were warned it was just a matter of time. I'm glad I visited the supermarket about an hour before the Prime Minister's announcement yesterday. It was quiet at Pak 'n Save at 9.30am but apparently people felt the need to stock up on supplies (despite the PM saying 'do not panic buy') and it was very busy later in the day. 

Today is Wellington Anniversary Day and I love these three day weekends. Sue and I went to see the new movie version of Westside Story today and the film was very good. I was surprised how much Spanish was spoken, but it was easy for me to follow all the dialogue. The picture below gives the impression of fun and dancing but actually the story is a rather violent and tragic version of Romeo & Juliet. The only problem was the theatre felt like a sauna. I was in the top back corner furthest from the door but I crept past everyone to go out and ask a staff member to put the air-conditioning on.  

South Wairarapa Coast

 A fabulous day out with Nisa & Simon. We visited the South Wairarapa Coast - Cape Palliser Lighthouse, seal colony (so many seals!), Putangirua Pinnacles and Lake Ferry Hotel. We really needed a cold drink after a hot slog up through the bush to the pinnacles and back down following the stream bed in the intense afternoon sun. My new boots got a work out clambering up and down rocks and I think they will be just fine. 

 

These boots were made for walking

The most expensive footwear I have ever bought will soon become scuffed and dirty as I am now the proud owner of a pair of Merrell Moab tramping boots. Hopefully they will be comfortable on my wonky feet and literally last the distance. 

Tramping near Porirua

 I joined Nisa, Sue and 17 others from the Parawai Tramping Club on a trip near Porirua today. We started at Camp Elsdon and walked up through the bush to Colonial Knob. Kate had arranged permission to cross farmland walking west to the beach. We dropped into a valley then climbed up and down a hill on the other side before we reached the coast near Open Bay. We stopped for lunch when we reached the beach then continued north until we came to a lovely private sandy bay. Most of the group went for a swim but it was a bit cold for me so I paddled on the edge. We carried on around the coast to Titahi Bay past some more lovely bays and craggy rock formations. The weather was perfect and the views to the South Island, Mana Island and Kapiti Island were magnificent. A thoroughly enjoyable day with a friendly group of people.