An emotional week

It seems to be a universal truth of the human condition, that celebrations are often alongside grieving, death alongside birth.

This week I grieved (at a distance) for a friend who lost her husband of 4 years to cancer. Another friend, in her 40s with three children, diagnosed with cancer. Then came the news of the arrival of baby number four for one couple, and a lovely 5oth birthday celebration of a new work colleague.

I am reminded of how precious is the day. How quickly something which seems so permanent is suddenly lost.

Yesterday, the Jewish world commemorated Tish B'av, a fast which is a reminder through the centuries of the destruction of the Temple and other disasters which fell on the same day in the same month.

I am reminded of how ultimate security lies not in buildings or dogma, wealth or position, but in relationship with He who has the final say in life and death.

Watery Wednesday

Picton, S. Island

Ruby Tuesday

Not quite Ruby, more Flame orange. Taken in our favourite cafe in the capital, La Cloche.

Watery Wednesday

Pencarrow Beach, North Island

Shake, rattle and knit

Another delightful train journey home this evening. When I got on, I couldn't find a seat. Eventually, I squeezed next to a chap on one of the double seats near the door, which are always 45 degrees to all the others. How odd, I couldn't move. It wasn't designed for a European build, let alone a Pasifica one.

I turned to the guy next to me "Is it me, or did this train shrink in the wash?". I then attempted to knit and managed to entangle my needles in the bag strap of the youngster sat at an angle to my right. Not deterred, I tried the Shetland way of knitting, one needle jabbed firmly under the armpit. When it came to handing over my ticket, I almost kebabed myself.

My better half told me this evening that our local rail company was so desperate to get new rolling stock, they acquired old underground trains, which would explain the lack of space and the WWII camaraderie. The rocking and clunking of the train on the track gave me nauseous flashbacks to the Northern Line.

Still, they are newer than our current ex-Hungarian Railways rolling stock and the 1940s carriages which have been recommissioned for service again from the museum.

Welcome to retro NZ.

Ruby Tuesday

A good percentage of our fire service is manned/womaned by volunteers in NZ

Take that Darwin!

Courtesy of "Private Eye"

Something beautiful on Shabbat

Waikenae, North Island

Watery Wednesday

Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand

Conspiracy theory

Odd happenings in our street. A few days ago, I complimented my next door neighbour on their new post box. In fact it was their old post box repainted. "What happened to the new one that you installed a month ago?" There was a hesitation, then they replied that it had been temporary, until they could repaint the old one.

This morning, as we approached our own mailbox, I cried out "Someone has stolen the roof off our mailbox!!" Sure enough, one side of it was decapitated. Fortunately it is still useable, if somewhat mutilated.

But I am now wondering about the mailbox next door. Perhaps it was also decapitated. Perhaps there is a Mailbox strangler in the vicinity? Perhaps next door's mailbox was actually murdered and they are too upset to talk about it.

I'm stationing the cat at the top of the driveway. He can report on any strange "goings on" and report back.

Meanwhile, if you see anyone wandering around with a small rectangular plank of blue wood, approach with caution. It could be our killer.

Ruby Tuesday

Mapua South Island.

Skywatch Friday

Sunrise from our bedroom window

Guess the location

The Kiwis are noted for their witty names for cafes. Guess where this one is located?

Watery Wednesday

Riwaka inlet, S. Island

Ruby Tuesday

The cyclamen and poinsetta were given to us as gifts. It makes the entrance to the house look so warm.

Mellow Yellow Monday

Our cat Cookie loves wrapping paper.

5th Wedding Anniversary

Something beautiful on Shabbat

I have posted this photo before, but it was a long time ago, and I love it so much, I thought I'd share it with you again.
I met this little fellow one afternoon when I ran to the local shop for some groceries. I'm not even sure why I had my camera with me. He was big enough almost to cover my hand.
Shabbat Shalom

Watery Wednesday

Tide going out at Moeraki Beach, S. Island.

Random thoughts

Things to be thankful for at 41 degrees latitude

In less than 15 minutes we can get from our suburb to the centre of the capital by train. And both of us work a five minutes walk from the station.
On a good day, we can be home and cooking dinner by 5.45pm.
Coffee shops on every corner, each unique, each with its own style, atmosphere, roast of coffee and selection of music.
No ice on the roads or snow.
No snakes

Things we wish we had at 41 degrees latitude
Fast trains. We would even settle for trains younger than 40 years old!
News stands which sell newspapers from all over Europe, the Times Literary Supplement, Private Eye, The New Yorker, etc etc.
Wide expanses of heather
Cheap New Zealand Lamb
Decent critical journalism