Beyond COVID-19 NZ

Ok so I have done another post (it's become a habit, and habits are hard to break!) But do check back about my next blog ... it's coming Oh how it rained today. On and off, all day long. Heavy rain.  The day was a mix of sunshine and rain - often in huge deluges that hit the deck like the wrath of the gods. The tanks and plants loved every drop of it! And then - by evening - blissful sunlight with golden hued clouds.  And thus is the weather these days ... It blows away the cobwebs and rubbish ...! 6.11pm SHARE-NOTE OF THE DAY: "Where the Crawdads Sing" ... Now here's a book worth reading. I don't read a lot these days, mostly write.  But a friend lent me this - and it was right up my alley.  Different, refreshing, and with a fabulous sting in its tail.  A story about humanity and nature that touches on just about everything life offers.  Gentleness meets resilience. Innocence meets revenge. Oh it's a good story.  I am so looking forward to the movie ... I

It's the first day of 2021 ... and I think this may be the last day of writing my Beyond Covid blog! I've written every day for 285 days, since lockdown was announced.  We seem to have got Beyond Covid here in NZ - and long may it stay that way. Alas, most of the rest of the world is in a state of shambles and, far from being "beyond" Covid, many countries are immersed in the thick of it.  I may continue this blog - but my aim is to start a new blog, with a different theme and purpose ... keep an eye here for details! Meanwhile, I headed back to the city today to go to Ellerslie races to watch our boy Ziggy run. It was a glorious day weatherwise, and a superb racing spectacle. Ziggy's race was a torrid run affair, they were motoring start to finish. Ziggy got back from his wide draw and then kept trying hard but couldn't get up to the front runners. It was a decent effort and he banked $1,000 stakes money for coming downtrack! Jockey was happy with his effort

The last day of 2020. Windy for the most part but then abated. A social day ... Drinks next door and then friends called in. So busy talking, missed the spot of midnight - but to be honest, with days melding into each other, life isn't about timeframes! The Full Moon is shining bright. And a new era begins ... 2021 ..

I went for a swim today! My first for the season - and one of only a handful in life! I'm really not a water babe and the temperature of both air and water has to be high for me to even contemplate it. Not often the case here. Today, all things aligned - and in I went! Even the wind was just a gentle breeze. I think I might just be getting more enamoured with swimming in my old age - as long as that water is tepid! The tide was quite far out which was a nuisance as it stays shallow for some time - but the water was as clear as a bell. A little chilly getting the top bits under but once I was fully immersed, I stayed in for ages! The beach was the busiest I've seen it in a very long time.  Here are some photos looking either way - and I'm being 100% serious when I say this is "busiest"!  Looking north Looking south Watched The Green Mile - it's a very good film - touches on the best and the worst in people with a bit of come-uppance thrown in. A film that is bo

Today is all about the beach ... long beach walk, gorgeous vistas, warm water.  SHARE-NOTE OF THE DAY: Clouds ... As you know, I love clouds. Today at 12"30 ish - I thought it might rain - but it didn't. Half an hour later this cloud didn't even exist! And here's a plant ... in Morocco!

Another leisurely summer's morning. Why not? You can never get enough of a leisurely summer's morning. More strong winds blowing. Why? Wind ... Enough is enough, go now!  Here's a video link to Neil Young's "Four Strong Winds" - with EmmyLou Harris (left) and his late ex-wife Pegi Young (mostly featured in this footage, separated from Neil after 36 years of marriage, died 2019).  What an intriguing video - a seemingly endless line-up of men, with Neil's voice star of show, and Emmylou and Pegi popped in amongst the males. The end result, regardless of all that, is amazing. Love it. The most haunting and beautiful song prevails likes it's being carried off on the wind for all to hear.  Neil is now married to Darryl Hannah (Splash). This affair caused the split with Pegi. Awful angst. I rate Pegi, strong woman. Three children - 2 with cerebal palsy, one with epilepsy. Neil ran. Pegi did the hard yards.  Love Neil's music - and perhaps I now understan