So many evenings of late have seen bright sunsets amid the clouds. This one from a few nights ago had us hopeful of a fine day following.
It was not to be.
This sunset from last night also held promise.
Although there was this gale bending the Birch tree over very dramatically.
The gale lashed the house relentlessly all night and today has been little better. We were also drenched in rain with roads closed due to flooding.
Today was our belated Christmas Day with one part of the family so we covered presents (which had been waiting some time)
with plastic bags, loaded up food in a plastic clothes basket, donned our coats and off we went for lunch and a fun afternoon. A four year old and his two year old sister kept things lively and fun.
The weather had cleared by late this afternoon although the gales continue. We spotted some Royal Spoonbills in the Pauatahanui Inlet along with a large flock of Black Swans.
Can you spot the two vague white dots out in the water? They are the Spoonbills.
We did get much closer to one but it sensed our presence and off it flew.
The Pohutukawas were still being shaped by the winds
and this gull was snuggled down in the tufty beach grass taking a well-earned rest from the battering forces.
No sunset tonight so little hope of better weather tomorrow it would seem……
A news item I read late this afternoon indicated exceptionally high temperatures in parts of Australia while the east coast of America is experiencing bitterly cold, snowy conditions. We are battened down safe and sound.
Keep safe wherever you are.
ordinarygoodness 
My Wellington friend told me about the amazing sunset you had yesterday and I was hoping you might have a photo of it. And indeed you do. It has been windy here today but nothing like you have experienced. Glad you had a good time with the little ones.
I lack a really clear shot of the sunset from home but I captured some of the intensity. I think we are meant to get even more blustery weather:-( We did enjoy our “Christmas” lunch and afternoon. Small people make it easy to enjoy.
Hold on to your hats!
We tie our hats on!!!! And sometimes double-peg the washing.
We have a similar saying, “red at night, sailors delight …”
Sailors and shepherds are good sky watchers it would seem.
would probably have us hoping for rain…
We could send you some after our drenching yesterday!
thanks! I’ll be waiting… 🙂
The Royal Spoonbills are an amazing sight. I remember seeing them down south near Karitane.
We love seeing them Ruth but they are shy of the camera. They “spoon” the water at quite a high speed.