Gita

Batten down the hatches, pack away the moveables....cyclone Gita is heading straight for us.

The tropical cyclone that wreaked havoc on Tonga a few days ago is still moving and it's anticipated will hit the South Island tomorrow bringing heavy winds and rain.  H and T have driven over Arthur's Pass today, away from the West Coast which is great.  They called me when they got to Kaikoura.  After a bit of discussion they've decided to keep going and come back to Nelson tonight........certainly don't want to get caught in the lashing we're expecting to get.

In the meantime, I've moved garden furniture into the shed, moved some flower pots down to ground level and de-constructed my lovely birdbath so it doesn't get blown over.  At our staff meeting this afternoon we were told that school will be closing early afternoon tomorrow so that - hopefully - buses can get kids home before the heart of the storm arrives mid to late afternoon.  All we can do now is wait and see what arrives.

Fingers crossed that everyone stays safe.......