Dark, wet and miserable,

..but mild in comparison to the terrible flooding on the West Coast of the South Island and in Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium. Such  heartbreaking photos.  Please stay safe.
This is one of a number of shells given to me by my oldest friend before she went to live close to her sons in Australia. He grandfather had bought it with him when he came to New Zealand from Rarotonga 90 years ago.  Lani was worrried that as Australia has strick regulations about taking shells into the country it might be confiscated and destroyed if she took it with her. 
Back blip for 17th July.