Tuesday 8 November 2016

My world seems to be filled with numerous days of extreme weather at present. Can the winds get any more intense? Last night and all of today, it has blown a howling gale. Nothing has been this intense since I was at Kaihoka Lakes back in July. The sand and sea spray has clouded all of the dunes in a fine haze and, from a distance, I’m unsure if it’s sand or sea spray; probably a combination of both!

As this weather put the white-baiting and fishing on hold for yet another day, a back-up plan was needed to keep me busy and occupied. What to do on a day like today? My mind is all about wanting to get on the water to paddle to get further north but this is just not happening. An opportunity comes to head with Anouchka into Pukekohe. Yippee! There’s a swimming pool and I had the chance to see the country roads along the way from Port Waikato this morning. To be honest, being able to get into a pool and swim gave me back my sanity today. I’m just every bit as over weather-waiting as everyone else is at the moment and I’m trying hard to ignore the slow, painful process up the coastline. Instead, I’m trying to look at this area with new adventure in my eyes.

Anyway, today, I have been amused and entertained by this wonderful family by whom I have been welcomed and with whom I’m staying (including the twins and the dogs) not to mention the daily fun in which they get me involved. A beach walk, whilst staring out at the ocean, is what keeps me entertained this afternoon, as is walking the reserves and the sand dunes. Sometimes it’s hard with the sand blowing in your face but being outside is always fun for me. I also spent a couple of hours looking around the streets of Port Waikato. I head off to get a Lotto ticket. Let’s see if my donation to Lotto gets me any kind of return. Hah! Probably not. The last time I purchased a ticket was way back in Takaka! Wow, how time does fly, and I collected precisely zilch from those tickets!

The wind is still blowing but it continues to be stunning, blustery spring weather so for the moment, there’s nothing else I can do but explore. Another early, restful night. Optimistic as ever, I’m hoping for some white-baiting and fishing tomorrow. This West Coast wind still seems to be causing my frown lines to increase on a daily basis but let's see if I manage to get some success tomorrow.

My smiles today:
Swimming pool redemption.
Kids on the drum kit, indoors.
The random animal art display in a paddock.
Learning lots about the West Coast.
Whittakers dark chocolate.

My thoughts today:
Happiness comes a lot easier when you stop complaining about your problems and you start being grateful for all the problems you don't have.

Goodnight from Red and friends.

Ma Te Wa.

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