That's a lot of matchsticks

A tree felled by the storm in Nelson, NZ. Photo Steve Hussey

The question that arises is, "How come the dovecot is still standing and the tree isn't?"

Thames by name, Thames by nature

The road outside Thames, Photo IAIN MCGREGOR/Waikato Times

Storm lower North Island

Civic hall about half an hours drive from where we live. Photo Mitch Lewandowski

Second Storm hits country

Jetskier along road in the Coromandel Peninsula. Photo Joanne Churcher.

We are in the midst of a storm which has brought down power lines, blown off roofs, and swept people to their death in the north of the north island. There is worse to come.

Face makeover

It took me a while to realise it, but my fall and black eye took a big toll on my husband. Both of us have been completely wiped out and exhausted for three days; I suspect suffering from shock. He has watched me like a hawk ever since it happened, constantly asking whether I am feeling OK, can I see OK, do I have a headache. I have felt so, so sleepy over the weekend, but I can honestly say, I haven’t felt ill – until I’ve looked at myself in the mirror. It has really been a horrible mess.

Something more disturbing than the looks I was getting in public were the looks my poor husband was getting. I could see the unspoken question; “Did he do that to you?” I wanted to wear a tee shirt with “I am a klutz, I fell over my own feet carrying shopping.”
Or as a humorous friend commented “Well, its great to see that you saved your hands by falling on your head.” My beautiful ski jump nose and my buck teeth are preserved, so all is not lost.

Thank goodness my face isn’t my fortune.

Surfing the storm

Photo courtesy Shaun Walburn http://www.stuff.co.nz/

Auckland Yacht and Scout hut gets hit

Photo courtesty Trevor Whelan www.stuff.co.nz