Miss Grebe

I think she's ready and hunting for a mate........she's looking so gorgeous I wonder how any Mr Grebe's could resist her?!

After the relative warmth of yesterday (ie a positive high rather than negative!) today was began very mild and became gradually bluer and bluer as the clouds were blown away and the sun shone through.  That can only mean one thing - clear skies = frosty night.  I find that even I am surprised by my enthusiasm for coldness!  

Today is the winter solstice and also a time to celebrate Matariki.  Matariki is the Māori name for the cluster of stars also known as the Pleiades. It rises in midwinter and for many Māori, it heralds the start of a new year. Iwi across New Zealand understand and celebrate Matariki in different ways and at different times.  Traditionally, Matariki was a time to acknowledge those who had passed in the last year and to release their spirits to become stars. It was also a time to reflect, to be thankful to the gods for the harvest, to feast and to share the bounty of the harvest with family and friends.  Whilst I haven't ventured out at dawn to view Matariki or join in any celebrations, I know that many Kiwis have.  Tomorrow we will have a tiny bit more daylight than today as the sun 'recharts' its course back towards us.


Extra is a cute dog I met on an afternoon walk - he wasn't perturbed at all by the freezing cold water of the lake and happily spent 10 minutes wading, jumping, sniffing and snooping in water up to his tummy with no sign at all of being cold or uncomfortable.