12 months ago today Aotearoa New Zealand went into Level 3 shutdown, preparing for Level 4 in 2 days. This year I’m noticing the (late) Monarch caterpillars are transforming into chrysalises. They should emerge in about 2 weeks. Our ‘cocoon time’ lasted longer than 2 weeks!
Stunning morning at the beach, still, sunny, no-one around. The sea really was that amazing milky silvery mirror blue.
Yay! On Wednesday I learn how to make crossword puzzles.
I was thinking of visiting the Zoo when we make a quick family-related trip soon to Hamilton, and noticed they have Fishing Cats I wanted to see. Then look what turned up in my On This Day page today from 2020: Fishing Cat: The Cat That Hunts Underwater. Coincidence.
Hey @JohnPhilpin A year ago today you visited me at Waikawa Beach: miraz.me/2020/03/2… 😎
Almost 48 hours since a sudden new allergy to Nurofen (probably) made my face swell up. Finally the puffiness around my eyes has almost gone. Plus, after taking an antihistamine yesterday lunchtime, I also feel almost normal again. Another ‘attack’ could be more sudden and worse.
I quite enjoyed Detective Hillary Greene Books 1–5 box set by Faith Martin. There’s something about the female characters and their sexual relationships that doesn’t sit quite right with me, but I’ll read more in the series. 📚
adversity has never stopped her from doing her job.
For the longest time I thought we had Banded dotterels at Waikawa Beach but after close investigation I now think they are the very similar Wrybills. I’m pretty sure that beak has a curve to the right.
Length: 20 cm; Weight: 55 grams.
🐦
Really enjoyed Moxie at Netflix:
Fed up with the sexist and toxic status quo at her high school, a shy 16-year-old finds inspiration from her mother’s rebellious past and anonymously publishes a zine that sparks a school-wide, coming-of-rage revolution.
Actual feminist themes!
Hmmm, for decades I’ve used Nurofen to help with headaches. Last night I had quite an allergic reaction that we attribute to Nurofen: swollen face, constricted throat. Today the doctor gave me an antihistamine to help with the swelling. Sasha and Oshi lent moral support. 🐶 🤕
I should have taken some photos of the Pukeko chicks at the nearby lake a couple of weeks ago when they were fluffier. Look at these ridiculous gangly legs. And when the chicks run their legs look like cartwheels, like Roadrunner in the cartoons. Photos: chick; adult. 🐦
Bumblebee, meet pollen.
It’s not often we see one of these around here. They didn’t stay long. And I’ve never noticed the “Highway Patrol” text on the car before either. What are we, in an episode of CHIPS? We don’t much use the word ‘highway’ in Aotearoa New Zealand.
A few years ago now I spotted a cop in Wellington who looked like he should have had a note from mum to be off school… So this is good: NZ’s oldest police graduate celebrates after 40 year wait:
Perry, 57, has finally realised her dream of putting on the blue uniform
In the middle of this year we hope to be cruising with neighbours round Rakiura (Stewart Island) at the southern tip of Aotearoa New Zealand. After that we'll be hiring a car and visiting the Catlins. It'll be our biggest holiday since 2015 when we went to Spain. 🛳 (My 1st cruise.)
I have now learned the correct way to put the chain back on my bike. Now I need to learn how to remove the chain guard, which would make it easier.
I learned Latin for 2 years at school. It’s invaluable for understanding English (and some other languages). However, that understanding could be gained in other ways and perhaps dropping Latin would make way for more currently relevant languages. Latin lovers mourn language loss
Yucca in the dunes with Kāpiti Island beyond.
Oshi eating. 🐶 He’s doing fine now! Even came and lined up for breakfast like he’s supposed to, rather than me having to tempt him off his bed.
Thanks to a word puzzle, today I learned about Machicolation:
a floor opening between the supporting corbels of a battlement, through which stones or other material, such as boiling water or boiling cooking oil, could be dropped on attackers at the base of a defensive wall.