Weather Woes

The gods responsible for weather
just need to get their act together
our warmer days that did not last
now seem a dream from distant past
the summer solstice ought to be
a time for basking by the sea
but we’re beset by wind and rain
and winter clothes are out again
the outdoor parties, barbecues
have transformed into indoor dos.
If you expect a Christmas crowd
be warned – eighteen degrees with cloud

I guess we can be glad because
we do not suffer heat like Oz
no celebrating over there
they’ve fires and smoke and choking air
I can’t imagine what I’d do
with daily highs of forty-two
while living in a state of fear
because the bushfires might come near.
Across the ditch are people who
have lost their home and neighbours too
their P.M. won’t admit the cause
might be related to his laws
and as their towns burn to a cinder
the Aussies covet our Jacinda

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No-go Nest

Strong winds last night brought down lots of small branches, and this nest.

Empty nest

 

I just hope that the birds who used it no longer have need of it.  I didn’t see any feathery corpses around, but they might have got blown away too 😦

“Life can be risky in the trees
especially in a nasty breeze.”

 

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Wintry Weather

Changeable weather in Christchurch today.  As we left home at 10 a.m. it was just starting to rain.  We paid a hasty visit to the Farmers’ Market, then to the library.  By the time we reached South City it was snowing – large snowflakes that didn’t settle.

Snow at South City

When we came out of the Mall a short time later the sun was shining again, and we could feel its warmth.  Now (just after midday) it’s raining again, with occasional snowflakes (snow flecks?) between raindrops.  Definitely an afternoon for staying inside with a book.

“Some snowflakes don’t stay on the ground
because by raindrops they are drowned.”

 

 

 

 

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Heavy Hail

Loud noises around 9pm last night alerted us to a heavy shower of hail.  We wondered whether it might snow.  When we woke this morning it looked almost as though it had, but in fact it was just thick drifts of hail that had stayed overnight.

Hail on back lawn

Hail on path

I needed to walk with care on my way to work as the paths were icy.  As another pedestrian said to me “We need steady feet today”.  Walking home was easier, because there’d been heavy rain which had washed the hail away.  I haven’t seen any snow, but others have reported flurries, and it’s certainly cold.  We’ve just turned the heat pump up higher, and we’re happy not to be going out tonight.  Keep warm, everyone!

“The hailstorm almost looked like snow
and temperatures have dropped down low.”

 

 

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Winter Wait

Winter Solstice, which will occur early tomorrow morning, is the ‘dead’ of winter.  The hiatus when the sun reaches its furthest point, then light slowly starts to increase, and life slowly starts to return to the earth.  The coldest time is yet to come, and when it’s here increasing light reminds us that summer too will come.

This is time for seasonal rose pruning – leaving plants bare to prepare for summer growth.  Autumn leaves have been raked away to become compost and mulch ( or in the case of my walnut tree, stowed in the green Council bin to be dealt with elsewhere).  There’s a sense of preparation, of waiting.  What will spring bring?  For me, there’s the expectation of a visit from a distant daughter.  What hopes are you nurturing for spring?

“Sun standing still provides the reason
to celebrate our Solstice season.”

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Puddle Puzzles Puss

A puddle was left on the brick path after some plants had been watered.  Ziggy, who’s still only allowed outside when we’re there to watch him, was greatly intrigued by this.

Ziggy investigating puddle

Because his previous life was limited he may never have seen such a puddle before, and he needed to investigate it thoroughly.  There are so many fresh delights he’s meeting every day, and his antics keep us entertained.

“So much is new within his life.
We watch to see they don’t cause strife.”

 

 

 

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Right as Rain

Wonderful to wake early this morning and hear rain outside.  While it’s lovely to have warm sunny days we badly need rain.  It’s stopped now, but everything looks green and fresh.  With so much demolition and building going on, rain also helps to keep the dust down, and clean roads and paths.

“When rain soaks in the earth below
it helps to make the garden grow.”

 

 

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Passing Penguins

Melting Penguins

This mural on the corner of Oxford Terrace and Worcester Boulevard makes a statement about climate change.  By street artists, BMD, it shows penguins marching towards the edge of the ice, and melting as they go.  It was commissioned as part of the recent Ice Fest, which focussed on Antarctica.

“We need to combat climate change,
else all our world will re-arrange.”

 

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Sunny Saturday

We’ve had three beautiful warm days, with nor’westers, and temperatures over 20 degrees.  I even wore sandals today, and when we got to the beach I thought I might paddle – unheard of in August!

Barefoot on the beach

However the water was icy cold, so I soon thought better of it.

The beach changes every week.  The boardwalk where we climb over the sandhills has been eroded away and last week there was a rope to help people clamber up.  I didn’t use it, but I thought what an excellent idea.  This week it was gone, with a forlorn notice asking for it to be returned.

Beach sign

Our waterlogged back lawn had dried sufficiently for me to mow it, and I picked a bunch of violets.

Violets

Today seems like spring, but tomorrow’s forecast ‘high’ is just ten degrees.

“Enjoy warm sunshine while we may.
Tomorrow is another day.”

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Atrocity Aftermath

Some might not call our recent storm an atrocity, but the weather was definitely atrocious.  This morning I felt so grateful for dry paths, sunshine, and a breeze that was gentle.  For those coping with sodden homes the fine day must have seemed surreal.

I hesitated to take my usual path through Latimer Square because I suspected it would still be muddy, and found it was blocked anyway.  Part of the path was barricaded because a large branch had come down from a tree.

Fallen branch

When I passed again in the afternoon a team from Treetech was busy munching up all the debris.  I wish everyone’s mess from the storm could be as easily disposed of.

“If it was just one fallen tree
how easy cleaning up would be.”

 

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