Darn it! I went to read Bridges to Burn (Detective Clare Mackay Book 8) by Marion Todd today, only to find I'd already read it (and given it 5 stars). I recall nothing about it! 📚
Eglinton Valley photos
As promised yesterday, more photos of Eglinton Valley in Fiordland National Park. All show steep beech-clad snow-topped mountains rising from a valley floor covered in golden tussock.
Text in image: Today's marine biology lecture is on sharks. We all know them as the scary triangles of the sea, but recent research has revealed that the triangle is only a small portion of the shark-over 90% of it is hidden beneath the surface.
Hidden Title text: Concealed mostly beneath the surface, sharks are the icebergs of the sea.
In a series I enjoy, Standing Dead (A Timber Creek K-9 Mystery Book 8) by Margaret Mizushima was a good read. 📚
Mattie’s K-9 partner, Robo, makes a grisly discovery—a body tied to a dead pine tree. Mattie is shocked when she realizes she knows the dead man
Why was this NZ$11.28 when I bought it 2 weeks ago and now it's $19.56!!!
Like all of Fiordland National Park, the Eglinton Valley was beautiful. A broad flat valley floor covered with golden tussock, with steep beech-clad mountains meeting it in a sharp line. Behind, snow-covered peaks.
My next post will contain several photos, as I couldn't choose just one.
On our recent holiday we took a bus trip from Te Anau to Milford Sound where we cruised for a couple of hours up and down the Sound.
Our first brief stop was at Te Anau Downs Scenic Lookout on Lake Te Anau, with amazing light, as so often on this part of our trip.
Delighted when I opened a window at 6 am to hear a Ruru | Morepork in trees around 500 metres away.
Calls are given almost exclusively at night. The onomatopoeic ‘more-pork’ call is the most characteristic and often heard call.
Pied Stilt (and friend). 🐦
This Pied Shag kept an eye on me while drying its wings at the beach. 🐦
Another gripping book in the series: The Lost Steersman (Steerswoman Series Book 3) by Rosemary Kirstein. 📚
Rowan goes exploring in more strange and dangerous territories, encountering demons, hunting for Slado and making amazing discoveries.
This item about Google Plus codes was really interesting: On the Navajo Nation, Accurate Mailing Addresses Save Lives.
If you want to find your own Plus Code start with Technology - Plus Codes. It's very simple.
For example, Hank Edwards Reserve at Waikawa Beach is at 846X+JF.
Here's some handy info for my Kiwi pals: Māori Greetings Signoffs for Letters Emails (PDF).
The new one I learned today: Ngā mihi maioha : Thank you with appreciation.
At dawn (8 am) we waited outside our expensive but basic motel in Te Anau for the bus tour to Milford Sound. You can see in the video the sprinkling of snow on the mountain tops. We needed our warm rain jackets.
From Queenstown we travelled to Te Anau where I was able to spend a few minutes walking round Punanga Manu | the bird sanctuary. I had a wonderful close-up view of a total of 5 takahē. 🐦
Yesterday I took a bunch of rubbish photos at the beach. Today I applied more thought. A pair of white-faced herons was keeping an eye on my process. 🐦
This Paradise Shelduck pair stood out on the lake today. 🐦
This 20 minute video was super interesting: The most important CONSONANT in English by Dr Geoff Lindsey.
The rains must have brought this big clump of weed down the river and onto the beach.
We spent a night in Queenstown where the countryside is very beautiful. The town itself is cramped and busy, accommodation very expensive. It's full of tourists and tourist stuff. Loads of cafes, hotels, outdoor shops. Utterly atypical of Aotearoa at large.
Today I attended a meeting near the Levin War Memorial. I've driven past plenty of times but never before taken the time to stroll around the garden.
Pets and mascots have always been part of military culture
They offered comfort solace and simple distraction
from the grim realities of war.
Through their unwavering devotion and boundless affection
they kept spirits high and gave many
a link to normality and peace
We honour their deeds and faithfulness