Wet and Wild Day

"A Dark and Stormy Night".   That is often the opening line to some novels, and it certainly was true here last night.  The wind was blowing and seemed to be finding it's way into the garage, rattling the interior door.  Rattle, rattle, rattle as I lay in my bed, hoping it wasn't a burglar trying to creep inside.  The rain was falling, and the wind chimes, hung from the eaves just outside my bedroom window,  were ding donging in the wind.  I couldn't settle so got up at 4.00am, made myself a cup of tea, and took it back to bed.  Things didn't seem quite as bad with the bedside light on to keep me company.  And the morning was wet and gloomy.  Our Spring weather is often very temperamental.

A wet morning

I left home mid morning with a list of things to do.  First was a visit to the local Mitre 10 (hardware store).  There had been a lighting emergency in the sewing room.  I have a standing lamp beside my sewing machine with two bright spotlights, it is really good and give me the extra light I need when working on my projects.  One of the bulbs stopped working, so I carefully unscrewed it and went into the store.  Faced with shelves of bulbs I needed help, this was usually something that Robin took care of.  The kind assistant looked what I had brought in, went to the right place, and handed me a box.  That worked well, item number one ticked off the list.

It was still raining when I drove down to the Op Shop and handed over a bag of donations.  In the garage I usually keep a bag and place various items in as I'm tidying up.  Clothing, culling craft magazines, things from drawers and cupboards that I no longer want, that sort of thing.  The bag was full, so down to the Op Shop it went.  What next?  Put some more fuel in the car.  Once the gauge reaches 3/4 full, I top it up.  Don't worry about the price of fuel, I tell myself, I can't do anything about it.  

Here in New Zealand our General Election takes place on 7th November, but we can vote early if we prefer.  So that's what I did, parked outside the Council Office, walked inside, got my papers, made my choice, all done.  The political parties have been on TV for weeks, having debates, promising all sorts of things, and out and about door knocking.  We will just have to wait now till election day and see how it all pan out.  

Walk this way

I met up with a group of ladies for lunch, and the sunshine was coming out.  Then on the way home I stopped off at the Star 4 Hospital in the Medical Centre to see a friend.  Patients are transferred here from the General Hospital when they need a little extra non medical treatment, such as working on mobility, before being discharged.  After a fall, Ruth is coming along well.

Gemma was happy to see me when I finally returned home and was keen to get outside in the warm weather. She really is quite particular, doesn't like going outside if there is wind in her face, or wet puddles under her paws!  But the weather improved dramatically by the afternoon and she was happy outside enjoying the sunshine, and sniffing at whatever took her fancy

Gemma in the sunshine