Is New Zealand off to the World Cup?
…aaand it’s 2-0 for New Zealand against New Caledonia in the World Cup Oceania qualifier.
Grooving to one of my favourite RadioNZ shows, Nashville Babylon. The main highlight of Saturday night’s listening.
Weather forecasts
Porirua seems to be part of the country that doesn’t exist, according to weather forecasts on the radio.
There is “Wellington” and “Kapiti”, but nothing in between. On maps it’s a different story and even small suburbs with different weather are there. It does mean we have to learn to make assumptions about the ‘real’ likely weather.
I hadn’t realised there was such a difference in the weather between towns/suburbs in Wellington until I started working as a gardener in Lower Hutt. I’d go home after work and comment to the flatties about the rain in the Hutt, only to have them reply, “What rain? It’s been sunny all day.”
Well, now I know.
Walking in the rain
Looks like we’re getting our first rain in Pukerua Bay for several weeks. However, it seems there was some last week everywhere except Pukerua Bay.
That hasn’t stopped my wife and the rest of her book club chums walking around the Pauatahanui inlet. It would be nice to join them, but that’s impossible these days. I’ll make do with reports from the front line.
School gala loot
It’s our local school’s gala today. The rest of the family has headed down there to get their loot; mostly books. I’m happy with my favourite; coconut ice lollie. Yum.
Te Matatini competitions
I’ve spent the past couple of days watching Te Matatini competitions on TV and have been blown away by them. Such stunning performances from the the groups. Our whole family has thoroughly enjoyed them; even my elderly sister told me this morning how much she loved them.
Like many Pakeha I hadn’t watched them before and regret not doing so.
Next year you should all watch them; you won’t regret it.
I’m really enjoying watching the national kapa haka Te Matatini championships on TV. I don’t have much time left on this Earth and this is a genuine pleasure.
New Zealand public radio makes me feel at home
Community Garden celebration
Jury duty
I just had my first ride in a Tesla this morning, and what would you know; it was a taxi!
I was looking at the news last nights at the terrible disaster and destruction in the Californian fires. They are so big I reckon they could wipe out some home insurance companies. Then everyone looses: claimants, investors, premium holders, etc. It could be a major financial disaster.
Mammals
We’re watching the new David Attenborough TV series on mammals. First episode is on mammals in the dark; most hunting, or being hunted. Apparently, a large majority of mammals hunt at night, making use of excellent night vision or hearing.
It is coming onto dusk and our Jack Russell terrier is proving the point by exploring the garden, looking for something to eat. She’s much more active at night than during the day.
We just had a family outing to see the new Paddington movie. There were no children in the group and we all enjoyed it.
Dame Tariana Turia has died
I’m very sorry to hear that Dame Tariana Turia died this morning, after suffering a stroke earlier this week.
She was a principled politician who resigned from the Labour Party and set up Te Pāti Māori in 2004 because she opposed the foreshore and seabed legislation the Labour Government introduced.
Between 2008 and 2014, with the Māori Party in a support arrangement with the John Key-led National government, her ministerial portfolios included Whanau Ora, Disability Issues and the Community and Voluntary Sector.
The Whanau Ora policy, which devolved social policy delivery to communities and whanau and aimed to support families rather than individuals, was seen as her proudest legacy.
She was widely admired, including by some very conservative people in my family. Both my older brother and my wife’s uncle, who were and are pretty racist, thought highly of her.
After hearing many stories about Keith Jarrett’s experience when playing the ‘The Kӧln Concert’ I had to have a listen. I have several of his records, but not this one. It is as good as I have been led to believe.
The rain has suddenly arrived
With a bang and a crash, the forecast rain, thunder and hail has arrived. The daughter had to rush out to bring in the laundry, and the dog is hiding under the bed. Dog hates loud noises – Guy Fawkes is the worst day of the year, weather comes a close second.
TBH, I quite like lying on the bed listening to rain on the roof. I find it relaxing.
Wife’s birthday celebration
Watch out for bees in the kitchen
I’ve just been stung by a bee. That’s nothing unusual for an ex-gardener, although I got pretty good at noticing them before they got too close to me.
But this one was on the dishcloth in a container on the kitchen bench. What on earth was it doing there?
It reminds me of when I put on a workshirt on a Wednesday, to be stung by a wasp caught up in the shirt. I realised then that it had been there since I’d done my laundry on Sunday. It was not a happy Hymenoptera!
We’ve just been to Te Whaea School of Dance graduation performance. We’ve been going with friends for more than ten years and it never disappoints. A good mixture of classical and contemporary styles.
