Winter has arrived and so has the Waikato fog. It finally cleared away by midday and crept its way back in by 5.oopm. A short blue sky and sunshine window! Think this photo gets the pick today – evening sun sinking into the mist over Lake Rotoroa.
winter
Day 183 July 1st 2016
Half way through the year. The mid point. And what a stunning morning. It has been raining for days but today dawned with frost on the windscreen and clear crisp air. The footpath round the lake glistened with ice and the lake itself was as still as can be save for the ducks, and coots which leave their trails as they launch themselves into the water.
The crescent moon shone brightly in the dark blue morning sky. Difficult to capture it on my phone camera, but this, shot turned out all right.
Day 179 June 27th 2016
A day of rain. Sitting at my computer I only notice it when the sound invades, look out of the window, the sky has darkened but there is a splash of brightness, colour, pink against grey, delicate but strong, withstanding the battering of raindrops.
Day 163 June 11th 2016
Time to think, explore, wonder and relax. I spent the morning wandering along the walkway along the river in Gisborne. Then I headed out to Wainui Beach. After a few days of chilly, blue sky weather the wind seemed to have turned and with the sunshine came a gentle warm breeze. I cannot resist putting my toes in the ocean and so my walk along the beach was bare foot paddling. But as I sat on a driftwood log watching the surfers lazily float around waiting for the next wave I felt myself being drawn in. The water was delicious, cold but exhilarating, I let waves break over me and I dived through them gasping as I came up. Sitting in the sun afterwards drying off, it was hard to believe it is winter.
Day 157 June 5th 2016
Paula finally got us up Te Aroha! 900m of upwardness in 1hr20 over 4km. We’ve done it several times before but not so quickly – usually have children to coax up the rooty, rocky, steep path.
The band of high pressure approx over NZ right now meant that we started in a temperature inversion but but frozen toes, fingers and noses soon melted as we climbed. I don’t think I’ve ever seen it so still and clear at the top. Stunning views. Ran down in 55 minutes. What a beautiful winter day.
Day 123 May 2nd 2016
Hockey season has started which means morning walks around the lake. It is dark when I set off and the birds are just waking up. By the time I got round the pigeons which had been gently cooing were flitting around, I had heard the geese fly over honking loudly and land in the middle of the lake before floating serenely to the bank. Today, as well as the usual pukeko, ducks and moorhens I saw a solitary grey heron and a couple of white spoonbills. Difficult to get in-focus shots of moving birds in the mist but I like this one of the heron. Interesting any which way round.
