On another note, today the sky has been rather odd looking with furry clouds, about to beam in with a shower of rain.

However the rain has not appeared, and instead an irredescent blue has bounced onto the ocean making a gorgeous steel blue milk pond on the horizon.

The air is warm, and not a breath of wind.

It is now our third week of rather odd hot and sometimes sweltering weather, and I wonder how long it is going to last, but it continues.

Great for drying the washing I might say, and also for the pair of gorgeous wellcome swallows nesting in the eave of my verandah.

The swallows have been hanging around the verandah for about 3 weeks now, and finally the evidence of why was revealed in a cup-like nest appearing in the corner of the eave.

The birds are small, with a red chest, blue head, wings and back.

Just gorgeous, and I have never seen such a bird in my lifetime.

They arrived here from Australia apparently!

Reading-wise, I'm delving into unknown territory with George Orwell's 1984. From telescreen to blue overalls, it is all compelling.

Time for milo and Christmas lists.

Today

Rod Donald's funeral was held today in Christchurch.
He is a sad loss to the community, and was the first MP I think I ever spoke too, and remember going to a lecture a few years ago where he spoke about free trade.

The recent election campaign he looked very bright and breezy in his classic braces and rolled up sleeves style. A very sad loss.