Head down

I've been keeping myself busy with a little writing project, lifting my head from the laptop to watch America's Cup races which I find quite thrilling.  That's a big turnaround for me since the last Cup when I refused to watch any races or follow the event at all because I felt technology had gone too far and the vessels they had created weren't sailing boats at all.  I don't think anyone noticed my protest!  

I have to admit I'd still like to see a return to the elegant yachts of old but these hydrofoiled flying machines sure are exciting to watch.  Until they push things too far and flip over, which happened to American Magic on Sunday.  It wasn't the first boat to fall over and I daresay it won't be the last.  I will have to work on my terminology, I think of 'capsize' as turn upside down and these boats are designed not to do that but rather fall onto their sides, giving the sailors a much better chance of escaping the stricken boat.  Thankfully, all escaped unscathed this time although the boat is in pretty bad shape and will be out of action for a while.

I had no intention of saying all that, strange what comes out when you sit down to type.

Yesterday I had a trip up to Kerikeri with my friend, Chris to visit old friends we used to work with.  I find it sad watching the effects of old age on others and am reminded that others are probably doing the same with me, trying not to shake their heads sadly as I try to remember what I ate for breakfast.  It certainly isn't the golden years for some.  A happy disposition seems to be the best weapon and our friends certainly have that.

Gillian has some lovely orchids in their sunroom

We stopped on the way north at Kawakawa to have a look at the new community hub.  It pays tribute to Friedensreich Hundertwasser, a famous Austrian visual artist who made Kawakawa his home (in the 1970s I think) and built the public toilets which have become something of a tourist attraction.  I've posted plenty of photos of them over the years but obviously didn't label them as toilets because I can't find them now.  Labels are great as long as you remember to use them.  Anyway, the new community hub is more of the same quirky art work.  It includes a public library, a council service centre, public toilets and showers, an art gallery, and an interpretative centre detailing Hundertwasse's connection to Kawakawa.

We didn't linger as we had places to be, people to see but will stop off for a longer look around next time, perhaps.

The town square

Waterlilies

Not sure if that is one word or two.  Maybe hyphenated?  The description of Claude Monet's painting uses one word, so I'm going with that. 

It's probably because of that painting that I'm reluctant to show you photos of the waterlilies I saw a few days ago.  I was so busy looking for the frogs I could hear that I almost forgot to take photos. 

But, I'm happy.  When I think of Monet's work of art, I don't imagine frogs and what pond is complete without them?

Surely, surely

That rain cloud must bring rain to someone, hopefully to these dry hills.

We had a 50 ml downpour yesterday for which I'm truly thankful. 

Right now the thunder is rumbling away in the distance, it's growing dark long before it should, could we be lucky enough to receive more rain?

Last tiki tour of 2020

Since my older daughter moved back to the north, I've enjoyed day trips with her to places that might be new to her, re-introducing her to Northland.  

On Wednesday we decided to have lunch at Helena Bay cafe and art gallery.  It was pretty busy with lots of visitors in the area and the food wasn't quite up to the usual standard, edible but not great.  And the view from the cafe helped make up for it.

We had a lovely 5 hour drive, calling in to the little beaches and bays along the east coast south of Russell.

Don't laugh - I can't remember how I straighten an horizon.

A perfect way to say goodbye to 2020.

💗