No connection in this mud!
46 degrees 36 minutes 54 seconds south.
I really enjoyed this Canadian story: Goodbye Port Alma (A DC Holly Towns Murder Mystery) by Anne Shillolo. 📚
DC Holly Towns is on the team that has to untangle a far-reaching web of sex, drugs, and money, and solve a crime that threatens to tear the city apart.
The Kaikoura Ranges were looking snowy today.
Wellington airport features these birds from Lord of the Rings.
Photo by Willow’s mum — with the whole back seat to spread out on, three dogs decided to create a tight little dog puddle. Willow at front, Sasha to the left and Oshi in behind. 🐶
Hmmm:
Around 95% of NZ’s sheep meat and 87% of beef is exported, and what’s left for locals is sold at a premium.
If a housewife in the middle of Oxford in the UK is prepared to pay a certain price for a cut of meat, we have to match it
Happened upon a cassette tape recording I made in 1976 of my mother’s parents. Fascinating to hear how they speak. Grandad, born in Islington, London, was a London bus driver in his youth. My grandma was born in Stoke Newington (also London). Only a few seconds of my grandma. 😒
Yesterday’s storm (for us, at least) was nowhere near what we expected. Some strongish winds, about 17 mm rain (not the 60-90 mm forecast). The sea must have been rough though — the high tide took driftwood right into the dunes. We were lucky: other areas had floods.
Heard something today that jogged my memory about NZ’s infamous Six o’clock Swill. From December 1917 to October 1967 pubs closed at 6 pm: 🍻
resulted in a mad rush to drink as much alcohol as possible in [1 hour], leading to unruly behaviour and unpleasant drinking conditions.
We tried a new restaurant last night: Ōtaki Kitchen at 30 Main Street, Ōtaki. Service was great and food excellent. I had the Roast fish (Blue Whiting) with brown butter and nut crust, pea puree, charred carrots, tomato tapenade and lemon beurre blanc, broccoli and potatoes. 🍽
Hey @jack Way back in March you mentioned the Johnny Decimal system. Thanks so much for that. It has allowed me to finally sort out my beyond chaotic filing ‘system’. It all kind of fell into place for me and it’s transformed how some things work for me. Much appreciated!
Heh 🐈 🐶 🍽:
New Zealand has the highest per capita rate of cat ownership of any country in the world, with 41% of households owning cats and 34% owning dogs.
Who’s eating New Zealand: What your cat is eating | RNZ News
Since 1990 our [cats] have [eaten] $1.5bn of food…
Spotted ‘the’ Kingfisher today — perching on top of the tunnelhouse. Managed a photo through the window, but when I went outside it flew away.
Damn good read, so well put together! The Case of the Fond Farewell (Ellie Tappet Cruise Ship Mysteries Book 6) by Cheri Baker. 📚
When tragedy strikes in the dark of night, Ellie and her friends investigate. The trail of deception leads to a shocking revelation…
// @cheri
Niue reaches herd immunity, with 97% of eligible population vaccinated:
Niue … vaccinated almost 100% of its eligible population.
The Pacific Island nation, population ~2000, reached the milestone within two months.
A national celebration was held … to mark … milestone.
A big storm is forecast for this weekend — gales and loads of rain. Plus it’s midwinter and we’ve had some solid frosts and we’re going away soon for a holiday. Today I moved my two quail into the garage, using the dog crate to hold them. They’ll be warm, dry, out of the wind. 🐦
The forecast rainfall for this weekend has already reduced by ~20 mm, thank goodness. Still way high though.
According to this crazy forecast we might get 144 mm (about 5.7 inches) of rain over 4 days this coming weekend! I imagine in the end we’ll actually get more like 15 mm, but if we do get all that’s forecast, things could be a bit wet!
Knockout (A Holly Hands Mystery—Book 1) by Mia Gold had a very strong start. 📚 A new and original character and compelling premise. I found it strained credulity overall though and sometimes just annoyed me. Not sure I’ll read the next one.
