Dawn breaks

This was the stunning light as I walked Bean up A&J's drive before sunrise this morning. There was a completely clear sky and a frost on the ground. 

Nobody else was about, and the only sound was muttering from the squadron of domestic ducks as they marched up and down their paddock.

Coincidentally one of them had quacked me awake with a start at 6:10am. 

The extras are taken from the other side of the house a couple of hours later as sunlight crept across the wide Kakanui Valley. It is a stunning view which I watched - from the depths of my warm dressing gown and the sofa - as it gradually shed itself of darkness. 

We had a lovely evening. The main event was to watch "Conclave" on the enormous tv. I had thoroughly enjoyed the book, and the film is a great adaptation. The music and cinematography are stunning; the performances notably good. 
We were all in our pjs and dressing gowns, hunkered down in the soft sofas. The dogs were on their beds, and one was under her blanket (guess who).

And to make it a really special occasion A had nipped into the cinema in Oamaru earlier in the day to buy chocolate-covered ice cream cones, which she shared out half way through the movie. Perfect.

Perfect except for the splatters of chocolate that I found on my (pink) dressing gown this morning.