ACRYLIC PAINTS

 I had an appointment this morning so Doug dropped me off and headed to Spotlight to buy some more acrylic paints in their sale.  

He had just gone through checkout when a lady approached him.  She had bought some acrylic paints but decided painting was not for her and had been thinking of taking her remaining paints to an Opportunity Shop but instead offered them to Doug.  She was on her way home and her home was not far from where Doug was picking me up. 

After we had picked up the paints Doug suggested we go to another suburb and order some flowers for her but I suggested we go to Bethany Gardens a short drive away and buy some flowers from the grower.

We picked up this lovely bouquet as well as some green beans, peaches, avocados and tomatoes.  When Doug gave her the flowers she said they were lovely but he didn't need to do that.  He, of course, responded that she didn't need to give him the paints.  So we ended up having a lovely drive, getting some vegetables and paints.  Plus we called into a delicatessen for a browse and I bought some Italian made gluten free tagliolini, some New Zealand made Dukkah and another cookbook (one can never have too many).

The lovely bouquet

The selection of paints

NO WONDER IT WAS WET

The rainfall figures are now out for "Summer" if you can call it that.  For the 3 months, December, January and February we received a massive 1004 mm.  This was just under four times the normal summer average and the highest since records began.  Over summer we received over 77% of our normal annual rainfall.

I recently posted photos of the Quarry Gardens and it was thought they would be closing permanently because of all slips but they re-opened parts of the garden yesterday.  There are lots of slips but it was all built by volunteers from a bare quarry so will be rebuilt again.

When we visit I will post some photos.

Meanwhile the devastation is too shocking and too much to write about.  Hundreds of people are unable to return to their homes as they have been red stickered.  Many more have yellow stickers which mean work is needed before they can return.  In many places it will not be practical to rebuild because of possible future flooding or landslips.

Our State Highway between here and Auckland is now open for northbound traffic only with long detours for southbound and much more work to do.

Meanwhile, here is Doug's first painting.  He has been to Art Class again today and is really enjoying it.

PAINTING

I had thought about doing a blog about the aftermath of the Cyclone but there is just so much devastation it is just too much at the moment so I will write of happier things.

Doug hasn't painted for over 12 years and then it was in oils.  He has, finally, decided to try acrylics and to go to an art class.  His first one was a fortnight ago (nothing last week for obvious reasons).

Doug being Doug he has made a portable easel that fits in a box.

There was not a lot of selection here for art materials so I went on line and bought him paints etc.

There are going to be swans flying across the sky.  He is really enjoying mixing with other artists.

A FINE DAY

We awoke to a lovely fine, sunny day.  After 3 days of almost solid rain and strong winds it was wonderful to be able to open doors and windows.  

The only problem indoors was where the strong winds had driven some rain under the front door so a rug was removed and the front door left open to air everything.

A load of washing went out and dried in no time.

The lawn is still a bit squelchy but drying nicely and a neighbour helped me get the branch that fell from the park behind us off our fence and out to the park.  We have been tidying up plants that got battered.  Nothing major which is amazing considering the force of the wind.

The cyclone has moved south and, unfortunately,  the news from Hawkes Bay is terrible.  The town of Wairoa is under water and completely cut off in both directions.  They have one day's supply of food and two of water.

People have been rescued from rooftops by helicopter (60 from one building). With the Nationwide Emergency being declared the Armed Forces have been mobilised and ships are sailing from Auckland with water and other supplies.

Closer to home Doug's granddaughter and her husband still have no power (or they didn't an hour ago) but they have finally managed to obtain a generator to milk their cows.  Doug's daughter went on her mail run today but didn't get far as the roads were impassable due to slips and flooding.  

There are thousands of people without power and cellphone coverage and now I see there was an earthquake a few minutes ago near Wellington.

LUCKY

 We got through the storm with no power cuts although I have just read about a power line down just around the corner from us so it may go off while they repair it.  

I have never seen wind and rain like it.  It started on Saturday night and the rain is just easing now (Tuesday afternoon) although the wind is still strong.  Winds gusted to 140 km/hr.  We are told it should ease up here later tonight.  

The water on our lawn has gone down although it still squelches when walked on.  We have got off lightly though with very little damage.  Yesterday I saw a neighbour walking along the street in the pouring rain making sure the gutter drains were clear and everyone has been checking in on each other.

A National State of Emergency has been declared. A very rare occurrence. There are Army Unimogs up here to help with evacuations and anything else that is needed.  

We have been asked to stay at home and off the roads to allow emergency services easier access and it sounds as though the majority of businesses are closed.  I had a dental appointment today and was pleased it was cancelled.  The reason being that the dentist had not come in which I expected as he lives out at the coast and the roads are closed by slips.  He has no power or cellphone coverage because of the storm but I was assured he is fine.  

I have just read that the Quarry Gardens have closed until further notice because of significant damage. I have also just read that 415 mm of rain was recorded in the last 7 days just a couple of miles from us.

Anyway, we hope that tomorrow will dawn fine.  It has turned quite cold but we did not light the fire as the chimney was getting battered by the strong winds last night. 

ANOTHER CIVIL DEFENCE EMERGENCY

 Today our rain and wind warnings were raised to red and a precautionary Civil Defence Emergency was declared.

The wind has been strong and the rain heavy all day and our lawn looks like a lake but we are told it will get worse tonight and tomorrow.  Neither of us has been outside today.

Many trees are down across roads and power lines.

That said, the house is high off the ground and we are fine. We have plenty of food and some bottles of water just in case.

Above is a photo from our sunroom window (no sun). There should be some hills in the background.

ALL CALM

The wind is starting to get up and we are as ready as we are going to be.  The main news in this morning's local paper is that Urban Search and Rescue teams, a water rescue crew and army Unimog trucks are among the extra resources on their way to Northland ahead of the expected landfall of Cyclone Gabrielle so the "powers that be" are taking it very seriously.

The weather watches have now been upgraded to weather warnings - from 9 p.m. tonight 100 - 150 mm rain over 24 hours with further rain after that.  The wind warning is from 7 a.m. Sunday and for winds 120 - 130 km/h.

I have picked the beans and the majority of tomatoes that were turning colour.

We only have a short row of beans that have kept us going all summer.  That was just one days worth.

The track the cyclone will take is still uncertain so we are hoping it may veer off away from New Zealand.