RAIN SHOWERS.

We have had showers for a few days now with continuous fine drizzle today and our first water barrel is now about 2/3 full.  

This was the view through the lounge window this morning.  There should be hills in the background.

The garden is loving the rain and the lawn is starting to green up.

Unfortunately, the Far North where it is most needed has not had as much rain and we are still being told that we can expect the drought to continue until May.  People on the coast north of here are also being warned about using bores as the aquifer is getting low and there is concern that it could get flooded by seawater.

RAIN NEEDED

As we all know Australia desperately needs rain but we could also do with some here.  We have had windy days for what seems like weeks which dries everything out although, luckily, it was not as windy today.  26 degrees today and 27 forecast tomorrow.

In yesterday's paper it said that last year was the driest since 1943 when records began, that is since I was born!!!!!!

Apparently there is no sign of good rainfall in the foreseeable future.  When I looked at the forecast earlier there were rain showers forecast towards the end of the week but they have vanished from the forecast now.  It is affecting farmers, orchardists and market gardeners plus those of us who have gardens.  I hope we don't get a hose ban as we are watering every day and have been for several weeks now.

More rain dances needed.

RAIN

The temperature has dropped to a high of 23 degrees today and we had some  very good rain showers with more forecast for tomorrow.  Wonderful.  There is nothing like rain to get the garden growing.

We have just planted more plants so it was perfect timing.  I even sowed a few bean seeds today.

STILL RAINING

Lately when storms have been forecast they have bypassed us and gone further south but this time it seems to be just us (north of Auckland) who have it.  It is now the second day of non stop rain.  The wind has eased but it is cold 10 degrees at 4.30 p.m.  The fire has been going all day and Doug has just ventured out in the rain to get some more firewood. 

I have just been reading on Facebook of all the roads closed by flooding, fallen trees etc.

I made a different sugar free jam - blueberry with a little cut up prune added for sweetness, thickened with chia seeds.  I did add a teaspoon of honey.  Tastes good.

Tomorrow is forecast to be fine for a couple of days.  Hope so as Doug wants to get on putting up the wall boards that are sitting outside on the trailer under a couple of tarpaulins.

I have not ventured out for two days now.  

RAIN

We got much needed rain.  This morning we went to the Growers' Market at about 6.30 as usual and the rain was heavy with strong wind gusts.  Even though we had wet weather gear on I was soaked to the skin.  Doug's umbrella was completely munted after being blown inside out by a strong gust that also lifted the awning on a stall dousing me in water.  We still managed to walk Sophie and then go to the Supermarket before coming home for breakfast.

For the rest of the day we had steady but not heavy rain.  Our water barrels that were nearly empty are now full to overflowing.  It was good to have a day off from outside work.

My brocolli plants got knocked over although the silver beet and perpetual spinach look fine.

WHERE HAS SUMMER GONE

Last Monday when we went on the first weekly walk with people with Parkinson's Disease since the Christmas break and I suggested that tomorrow we do a walk with shade as it was so hot.  Tuesday was fine and we walked up Mt. Parihaka, Wednesday was o.k. Since then it has rained and rained and rained.  It was wet and windy on Thursday, on Friday afternoon there was a very short break when we walked Sophie around the block and again this afternoon but apart from that it has just rained.  At times it has been a fine, misty drizzle and at others a heavy rain both day and night.

It is most unusual for us to get rain for a whole day let alone several days and the forecast is for it to continue - light rain until Wednesday and a change on Thursday to rain showers.  The tomatoes don't like it, the peaches that are about to ripen don't like it, the flowers don't like it and we don't like it.  The temperature has been in the mid 20's and last night in particular was very humid making it hard to sleep.  

Funnily enough as I am typing this the rain has stopped and the sun come out but, according to the forecast, it will be short lived.  I have just watched the weather forecast on the television and we are to get rain and a temperature of 28 degrees C. tomorrow with a night time temperature of 21 degrees.

The walk that was chosen for tomorrow is from the A.H. Reed Park along the river to the Whangarei Falls. Hopefully, it won't be too wet and it will be interesting to see the Falls in full flow.  I will report back.

This photo of the bridge was taken on our walk last Monday

and this one of Doug at the top of Parihaka was taken on Tuesday

We now have a red sky so goodness knows whether we will get the forecast rain or the fine day predicted by a red sky.

IT'S RAINING !!!!!!!

Yes, it is finally raining and there has been lovely steady rain all night.  The forecast is for it to continue for most of the day - yipee.  A drought was declared last week.  New Zealand has been like two separate countries this summer.  Most of the country has had a lot of rain whereas Northland has been hot, dry and sunny.

We have had the occasional forecast of rain but it has come to nothing until this.

New South Wales has been in the same situation and yesterday we read of floods in Sydney but it looks like our rain will just be steady.

It is wonderful not to have to do watering to keep everything alive.   It won't be enough to break the drought for the farmers but it is so very welcome.

The temperature has dropped as well. In the past weeks it has usually been over 30 degrees whereas the forecast for the next couple of days is in the early 20's.  At the moment the forecast is for light rain on Monday and Tuesday, fine on Wednesday (for my move) then rain again for Thursday to Sunday which would include the purchasers moving in on Friday.  We have often had these forecasts over summer and they have come to nothing.  Anyway, although the rain is much needed I have my fingers crossed for a fine day on Wednesday and, hopefully, Friday as well.

WATERFALLS

We have had wonderful weather over the Easter period but last week there was a storm which lashed the area. It was worse on Wednesday and Wednesday night.  On Thursday morning after walking Sophie in the park we called in to the Whangarei Falls which are just below the park.

These are photos I took of the same falls in July 2012.

This is a view of the river after the falls

The following day we did our weekly walk up Parihaka.  This is a small waterfall that is usually barely visible.

and the falls alongside the staircase.

This is the falls in April last year.

It is a lovely walk alongside the stream 

RAIN

After a wonderful Indian Summer it has finally rained - almost continuous for the past couple of days with strong winds as well.

Today was fine again and we went to Tikipunga Park where the river was high (although it was a lot higher yesterday judging by the grass etc. caught in branches).

Usually the river is quite low with just a small amount of water over the rocks

My rain gauge overflowed at 180 mm.

FENCE REPAIR and RAIN AT LAST

Last week Doug repaired a fence for me - he says he worries that I may run out of jobs for him but they keep on coming!!

Over the weekend and this week we have finally had some rain.  We were lucky on our Monday Parkinson's walk in that we just had a couple of showers.  Margaret, who organises it wasn't able to go on this walk and she always manages to get fine weather.

On Saturday we went to see The Maitreya Loving Kindness Tour.  Whangarei has an active Buddhist Temple and we were the only place in New Zealand to host this rare exhibition which has been touring the world.

I have not been walking Sophie for a while due to a bruised heel but walked her with Doug around Tikipunga Park on Sunday.  

After our Parkinson's walk on Monday we purchased tickets for the New Zealand Premiere of The Vague de Cirque later this month.  On getting home and going to write it on my calendar I was surprised to discover that it is on tomorrow night.  The month has gone so fast we thought it was next week or the week after.  Never mind,  it is off to the circus for us tomorrow.

We now have a severe weather watch as the remains of Cyclone Ita is heading our way along with another weather system.  

I must go and bring some Monarch caterpillars inside on some swan plant out of the wet.

Two photos from our Parkinson's walk from the Town Basin to Mair Park

Two more from walking Sophie at Tikipunga Park on Sunday

 The "Rose Hut" and fence snot long after I purchased in 2009 and now.  (bottom photo was into the sun hence the blur.

Some of the monarch caterpillars I brought indoors on the swan plant stems.

 

RAIN

12mm yesterday and 25mm today - yipee.  It was nice and gentle.  More is needed and forecast.

Should be able to get the winter vegies in the ground soon.

When is it going to rain????

The above photos are of the lower part of my lawn.  Just heard that no rain is likely for at least another fortnight.

I have been watering every day to keep the flower and vegie beds alive but the lawn has been left to fend for itself.

Wet Day - Kindness

First - thank you for all the kind comments yesterday.

I had thought that I was near the end of this "virus?" but no, it returned with a vengeance along with the rain not long after yesterday's post.  We have had rain or drizzle for most of the last 24 hours so it has been a good day to stay in bed.

This morning the phone rang and it was Lynn - my hairdresser who hails from north Wales.  One of the ladies that came to help while my hubby was still at home had asked her how I was as she had heard I was sick.

Lynn wanted to run errands for me and this she did in the pouring rain and when she returned she had a bunch of Alstroemerias from her garden for me. Mine are nowhere near flowering yet. Thank you Lynn - you are a treasure.

I have just ventured down the garden for the first time in days to sprinkle some slug bait around my Italian Brocolli - I am very pleased with them as they have not been in for long.