bLoG
The ups and downs
Rā 227, Rātapu, 14 o Here-turi-kōkā
Out on the road again! Pushed by my much fitter Oxfam team mates but good to be challenged in the winter sunshine. 10km out to Horotiu along the mighty Waikato.
Rā 221 Rāhina, 8 o Here-turi-kōkā
A very frosty morning at the lake today but it was good to be able to start running in the light as the sun rose. The sharp blue sky of Hamilton gave way to increasing cloud as I flew South. Even through the murky yellowness of the plane window Ngarahoe shone resplendent enrobed in snow. It was a bumpy old descent into Wellington but the wind roared and hissed and had blown itself and the rain away before we headed out to sample the craft beer delights of Beervana.
So today’s photos tell a story of winter weather and warming beer!
Rā 220 Rātapu, 7 o Here-turi-kōkā
The sun was out today but there was a biting wind down at the hockey turf.
Rā 216 Rāapa, 3 o Here-turi-kōkā
These plants are seen as weeds here as they grow so voraciously but their purple summer colour reminds us of when we first arrived in New Zealand. They line the centre strips of dual carriageway and grass verges. In winter the seed pods remain, long abandoned by their seeds but beautiful in their starkness and their dry winter brownness. I spotted these silhouetted against the cloudy winter sky and the white picket fence.
Rā 215 Rātū, 2 o Here-turi-kōkā
I could almost believe Spring was here… Sunshine and daffodils in the garden..just in time for Daffodil day. But the forecast is for cold, wet weather over the next couple of days – what will be rain here will be snow in the mountains. Nature always finds a way to show its beauty though. I’ve always loved Hellebores – delicate but strong.
Day 199 July 17th 2016
A wild, wet, windy, sunny, rainbow day in the Waikato. Typical winter, four seasons in one day sort of day. Perfect for spring cleaning and watching (or playing) two games of hockey. This is from the second game. Gus had already scored twice in his first game and of course, we missed what appears to have been the goal of the season… Solo dribble past three players, one on one with goalie and.. Boom!..in the net! No goals in this game but a solid performance from the boy!
Day 191 July 9th 2016
A lazy day which started with brunch, then to the football field to watch Lachlan play, a trip to town to kit Gus out for his first school ball, then a family trip to the Hamilton night market. It was lovely to be all four together. Scrummy food but otherwise not much to tempt us back… a sort of glorified $2 shop with one or two notable arty exceptions. Interesting range of food though and plenty of people made it a bustling, warm atmosphere. This little boy bravely played his violin amongst the throngs.
Day 185 July 3rd 2016
Winter has arrived and so has the Waikato fog. It finally cleared away by midday and crept its way back in by 5.oopm. A short blue sky and sunshine window! Think this photo gets the pick today – evening sun sinking into the mist over Lake Rotoroa.
Day 183 July 1st 2016
Half way through the year. The mid point. And what a stunning morning. It has been raining for days but today dawned with frost on the windscreen and clear crisp air. The footpath round the lake glistened with ice and the lake itself was as still as can be save for the ducks, and coots which leave their trails as they launch themselves into the water.
The crescent moon shone brightly in the dark blue morning sky. Difficult to capture it on my phone camera, but this, shot turned out all right.
Day 179 June 27th 2016
A day of rain. Sitting at my computer I only notice it when the sound invades, look out of the window, the sky has darkened but there is a splash of brightness, colour, pink against grey, delicate but strong, withstanding the battering of raindrops.
