In spite of chilly weather, a cold wind, a high tide and a big swell the folks fishing for whitebait today were undaunted.
Thanks to spring I'm starting to see a few chaffinches around. Not the best shot, but there's time yet …
I was fairly interested in buying a S9 Apple Watch, but fell at the last hurdle — I don't care for the colours. I want one the same gorgeous blue as my S7. Meanwhile, after 2 years, the battery's not quite so good as it was when new: maximum battery capacity 85%.
I loved this excellent book by an author whose previous books I've also really enjoyed. A Calculated Risk by Cari Hunter kept me reading. 📚
Jo has to risk her career to save a woman’s life, and a bad night gets worse when the trauma surgeon turns out to be Isla Munro, Jo’s only real love, who walked out on her 15 years ago and never came back.
Woohoo: macOS Sonoma 14.0.
Male pheasants are colourful and bold. The females stay more hidden. Last night though one all but knocked on our front door. Today she was poking around the neighbour's driveway. 🐦
First photo: her head's hidden but it shows her colouring really well.
The Cleaner, the Cat and the Space Station (The Shantivira Book 1) by Fay Abernethy sounded interesting.
The story was spoiled by the huge amount of rather didactic exposition. I admire the author's wish to present us with alternative ways of thinking, but there was just too much explanation. 📚
The sea this morning was pretty calm and a rare milky metallic blue as though it was from a glacial stream.
Update, 24 September 2025: that link has died. 😒 Luckily I kept a copy of my version of the recipe itself, so here it is below.
Today I made Mushroom & Broccoli Pasta. It was quick, easy and tasty. Forgot to take a photo until I'd already eaten some.
Mushroom & Broccoli Pasta
Serves 2
Preparation: 10 minutes
Cooking: 30 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 cups button mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- ¼ cup parsley, roughly chopped
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 100-150g pasta
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, grated (or cheese of choice)
- Chilli flakes (optional)
- Pinch salt & pepper
Method
- Cook the pasta according to packet instructions
- Steam broccoli with a little boiling water in a covered pot until just tender
- In a large pan, heat one tablespoon olive oil and butter over medium heat.
- Add the mushrooms and a drizzle of olive oil and cook for around 10 minutes until slightly golden and cooked through.
- Stir through the garlic, salt and pepper
- Add the tomato paste and cook over medium heat for another 4-5 minutes then add the lemon juice
- Add the cooked pasta and broccoli to the mushroom mix and combine well.
- Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, parsley and chilli flakes.
- Serve warm
Turns out with WatchOS 10 I keep needing this: Apple Watch User Guide
Since the update to WatchOS 10 my S7 watch is only charged to 80% when I put it on in the morning. I finally found where to turn off Optimised Charging:
- Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch.
- Scroll down, then tap Battery.
- Tap Battery Health.
- Turn off Optimized Battery Charging.
I'm not actually doing the September Photoblogging challenge but decided to send in this photo for Date in the Life. Today is dreary, but I noticed how this tree looks with mist and cloud and hills behind.
This tree was left behind after all its companions were felled recently.
I actually took this photo about a week ago but forgot to post it. This is the river mouth winding across the beach shortly after sunset but before full dark. Kāpiti Island and the light from a (probably fishing) boat in the background.
With spring the birds are starting to show up again. Down at the lakes I spotted a black swan pair with half-grown cygnet, Pāpango | New Zealand scaup, Australian coot, and some ducks. 🐦
Photo from today, but these Barbary Doves are so tame they just hang around. Yesterday when I drove down the lane I had to stop because they didn't move. In the end I had to get out and scare them off so I wouldn't drive over them. 🐦
On one hand fantasy and romance … not my things really. On the other time travel and lesbians, and lots of interesting women. I read and pretty much enjoyed Sweet Paladin (In the Queerness of Time Book 1) by Alex Washoe. 📚
Harks back to Xena and Gabrielle.
Thanks to Cheri for the link.
Went out to lunch for a neighbour's 69th birthday. Eleven of us there. A couple in their early 60s and the rest older. The oldest 86.
I was the only one who has never been admitted to hospital. 😳
Little Fliss the Japanese Quail hatched on 26 December 2018. Yesterday she laid the first egg for this season.
4.5 years old and going strong! Also regular. Exactly 1 year ago she laid the first egg for last season. 🐦
I feared 'our' pair of black swans had disappeared from the small lake Puna o te Ora at the end of the road, but this morning I spotted them with a half-grown cygnet. Hooray! They must have been hanging out elsewhere. 🐦
I was lucky enough to beta read Outlaw Justice, The First Guardian, Book 1 by Cheri Baker 📚:
Mars hasn't had a murder in 70 years. Until today.
I said to Cheri in part:
What a superb book! I loved the characters, the setup, the chain of events.
Further books in the series are promised and I'm really keen to read them.
