Lovely Wintry England

Maybe it's the 7 weeks of summer I spent in NZ over Nov/Dec/Jan.  But coming back this time, I realised I had been away long enough to really miss England.

The last couple of weekends I have had long drives through the countryside - last weekend down to the coast, and this weekend, through Surrey.

And I've been in a happy place - just loving the winter countryside. For a start, in winter you can actually see the fields and hills because the hedgerows have died back. And a bit of frosty light and mist lying low to the ground  just softens the landscape. The twilight seems ethereal and the trees stand out starkly highlighted against the sky.

And on the coast it was bracing to walk to the Hastings waterfront in the gusty sunshine and showers, watching the choppy sea at high tide chucking itself onto the stony beach.

Enough of the bucolic scenery......  I'm also loving the chill - the scarves, hot chocolates/coffees to warm up and a sticky Sunday roast and a hot pud at the end of my drive. With the temperatures plummeting this week, I think it's time to haul the firewood out of the garage and get the woodburner going....

July, Carey’s Bay. (Brian Turner)

A storm was forecast but had not arrived
by the time I had to leave. You said, surprised,
What a beautiful night. You said it twice
as we stood on your verandah and listened 

to the sou’wester gusting in the trees,
watched it burring the silver waters
of the harbour all the way from Carey’s Bay
to Taiaroa and reaches beyond my comprehension; 

the light on the sea sounding (if one can
hear light) like cow bells tinkling
across a white field. In the oil-stained bay
yachts swung on their moorings, straining, 

and I hoping to be home
before the first wild shower of rain. 

Jetlag is a Bitch...

...From Hell. Arrived back from NZ on Friday, and now it's Wednesday and I've had my first proper nights sleep.

OK, I know I'm 13 hours out of kilter, but it has taken me nearly 5 days to pull myself together this time. Thank God I seem to be over the worst of it, but the last few days have really passed in a fog.

And what's depressing is that it seems to be getting harder to adjust as I get older....

January, and counting blessings...

Things I'm appreciating right now....

Monarch butterflies and their brood steadily munching through the Swan plants.
The Jasmine and blowsy red roses in mums garden.
Salads, fresh apricots and coconut egg custards (a relief after rich Xmas food).
Mum crawling into bed beside me for a morning chat.
The Millars outlet sale (denim jacket for $11, tops for $6).
Lee Childs hardbitten detective books for holiday reading.
Jacarandas in full bloom all over the Bay.
Hitting the Chardonnay with mum (OK, I was an eighties kinda gal).
Spending time with my 2 recently widowed aunties.
All mums friends who pop in for a cuppa and a yarn on a regular basis.
Talking about the old days.
Tangaroa seafoods (big selection of fresh fish straight off the boats).
Vetro (a brilliant italian warehouse/deli nearby on Napiers fishing harbour).
A decent Flat White at Soda, in Taradale.