Hah, Sharon Murdoch nicely summarises our government's Climate Change approach.
A: it's great to ask drivers to slow for the extremely rare Bittern on this stretch of road on the Karikari Peninsula. B: it's fabulous that the cryptid Bittern have been spotted in this area.
It's mid-winter so crowds in this tourist region weren't a problem. On the other hand, rain and gales didn't make the top of a hill the best place to stand. Here's a 360 degree view from Rangikapiti Pā:
Rangikapiti Pā provides panoramic views over the Mangōnui Harbour. It is a significant site to Ngāti Kahu, and the terraces and defensive ditch around the pā make it a distinctive feature on the landscape.
Breakfast at Jesse’s.
The view from Jesse's cafe in Mangōnui. Luckily it‘s only a 20 minute drive from where I'm staying on the Karikari Peninsula.
There was a windsurfer enjoying the strong breeze at Coopers Beach today.
I haven't read this, but Will Harlow mentioned it in his latest video. Ageing as a mindset: a study protocol to rejuvenate older adults with a counterclockwise psychological intervention:
Although ageing is generally perceived as a biologically determined process, the literature increasingly points to the importance of psychological factors in the ageing process, specifically age-related stereotypes or cognitive mindsets. Such stereotypes reflect self-perceptions and others' perceptions about the ageing process and can have a strong influence on health and life satisfaction, specifically through self-fulfilling prophecy mechanisms.
A good read in the series. Buried on the Norfolk Broads (Detective Geldard Mysteries Book 4) by Heather Peck. 📚
A chilly October morning. Detective Geldard is woken by a phone call. A woman’s body has been discovered at an archaeological dig near the pretty Norfolk village of Caistor St Edmund.
At the gym today were two annoying muscle guys who seemed to be trying to out-grunt one another. I can tune out the gym's music soundtrack (or maybe enjoy it) but grunting annoys me heaps.
Pleased with my own (quiet) work though:
- lat pulldowns at 27.3 Kg, working on 34.1 Kg
- calf raises at 27.3 Kg, working on 34.1 Kg
- seated leg curls at 34.1 Kg
- pec deck at 27.3 Kg, working on 34.1 Kg
- rear delts working on 27.3 Kg
- dead hang: 2 at 50 seconds
Yay. A super quick (and negative) result from my latest routine bowel screening.
Which made me think — it's been 3 years since my last free routine mammogram. They extended the age range after my last. A handy calculator tells me I'm not eligible, but:
Based on your date of birth and location, you will become eligible for one final breast screen when you turn 74.
As for free routine cervical screening: there are loads of criteria for free testing, affecting all sorts of ages. It's complicated, and who knows!
This was a nicely woven light-hearted story about a cat cafe bringing together an assortment of people and changing all their lives for the better. The Magical Cat Café and Teashop by Kris Bock. 📚
Leslie’s carefully managed life is missing a vital piece
Saul is a solitary senior seeking connection
Miranda, a mother stretched thin, longs for support
June, a newly retired woman, feels invisible
Danny, twelve years old and awkward, just wants to be surrounded by cats.This cozy refuge soon becomes the stage for transformation and surprising friendships as the ordinary and the magical blend over steaming cups of tea and a parade of friendly felines.
On the way to the beach at the Rama Road entrance — the worst choice for a pedestrian as there's 600 metres of chewed up sand to negotiate to get down to the water. This is an official vehicle entrance.
Don't get into the car, Pamela! Pamela Prendergast and the Fatal Accident (Pamela Prendergast Mysteries Book 1) by Cecilia Peartree. 📚
[Pamela's] life becomes more complicated and mysterious – not to mention dangerous - for a while before things start to make sense.
The book didn't entirely grab me, but as the setup for a series, I may read more.
Thanks to Brad Enslen for mentioning the series.
I took 2 photos at the beach this morning. One turned out way more contrasty than the other.
And, no photo, I got to pat two out of 3 little dogs, one of whom very much resembled our little Oshi.
LOL. First — Can NZ First pull off the 'drill baby drill' moment it dreams of? | RNZ:
At the New Zealand First convention over the weekend, leader Winston Peters announced a plan to invest a billion dollars into surveying what oil and gas supplies could be extracted from the country's offshore basins.
Then — Greens promises to cut power bills and make solar more affordable with $980m 'KiwiPower' plan. 🤣
Can you tell it's election year?
This was all a bit strange and improbable. I'm unlikely to read the next. The Case of the Missing American (The Edie Fox Cozy Mysteries Book 1) by Julie Highmore. 📚
Edie’s biggest mystery is how she’s going to pay the rent. She’s broke, clientless and starting to suspect she’s made a terrible mistake.
Then a smooth-talking American in a fedora walks through the door, calls her the spit of Lauren Bacall and drops a bulging envelope of cash on her desk.
It's that time again.
Another good 'un — Murder at Ardhill (Detective Marjory Fleming Mysteries Book 5) by Aline Templeton. 📚
Twenty years ago, the body of a young woman was pulled from the sea below the lighthouse. Pregnant. Cast away on the rocks like driftwood. Her grieving mother always believed Marcus was responsible.
Now Detective Marjory Fleming is ordered to reopen the investigation.
But at the end is a question: what next for Marjory? I hope to find out before too long.
Fellow book readers — I haven't read the study, only the summary — A chapter a day: Association of book reading with longevity - ScienceDirect 📚:
book readers experienced a 20% reduction in risk of mortality over the 12 years of follow up compared to non-book readers. Cognition mediated the book reading-survival advantage (p = 0.04). These findings suggest that the benefits of reading books include a longer life in which to read them.
Linked from Will Harlow's Three-Tip Friday, 17 July 2026.
Heh, I came to be reading the Bill of Rights 1688 | New Zealand Legislation and laughed at the language here (my emphasis):
And whereas, the said late King James the Second having abdicated the government, and the throne being thereby vacant, His Highness the Prince of Orange (whom it has pleased Almighty God to make the glorious instrument of delivering this kingdom from Popery and arbitrary power) …
Glorious instrument, indeed!