The Road Home

I arrived back in Christchurch just before midnight last night so invaded Kiwidino's house for the night (thanks for the bed). Today, after a coffee and chat with Mrs KD, I had lunch with my son, caught up with a couple of friends, did a couple of jobs and then headed home.

Driving through the Waipara/Waikari area I couldn't help thinking how similar the colours are to much of inland Australia that I've spent the last two weeks driving through - especially the dry roadside grasses. But the blue/purple of the vipers bugloss (an echium that grows wild on many of our roadsides) creates a lovely contrast even if it is a nuisance.

It looks really pretty at a distance but is quite viciously prickly and sticky up close.