Rubber ducky gone to duck heaven ...

Rubber ducky (sadly deteriorated) has gone to watch the stars from close range and ...
the tulip paintings are packed which means the removalists must be just about on their way.

Full bath = 1/2 full washer

I wonder if I am the only person in Dunedin that uses my bath water for the washing machine? I discovered last year that the old and very inefficient washing machine in this apartment takes as much water per cycle as a FULL bath, and that is the middle setting. What is more, it sloshes the water about for about 3 minutes, then pumps it all out again.

Instead of getting upset about my inefficient washer I decided to make the most of it. On cold evenings I have wonderful hot baths then bucket the water into the washer. So I can bathe without being concerned about the energy bill. My double use strategy has an additional benefit apart from saving energy and promoting conscience free bathing. I like very hot baths which can make you giddy, but by the time I bucket the water through my (often very cold) hall I am cool again.

I must say I do look forward to using a machine that actually cleans clothes again, but in the meantime I am enjoying hot baths.

(check out this water efficient machine.)

Hotter than we are used to.

Phew it is hot in Dunedin. 30C yesterday, 30C today and tomorrow is going to be hot as well.

Although it is nearly 10pm it is still 28C inside. This apartment has two doors, back and front, and for the first time in the two years I have lived here I have both of them wide open to draw the breeze. I have just been for my evening walk and there are a lot of houses with windows and doors open. We are unaccustomed to such weather.

Tulip paintings

The boxes are filling, most paintings are packed, but not these tulip paintings. I am going to leave them hanging until just before I leave so it feels like home.

Dunedin had 30C today and at 9:15 pm the thermometer still reads 28C. Phew!

View to Ourangi

Why is it that the countryside of ones childhood retains a special place in ones heart regardless of how long one has been away? These are the hills where I grew up. The flat hill in the distance is called Ourangi and to its right is Pukeokahu (Hill of the Hawk).

Below is my aquarelle version, painted over Christmas.

Mellow yellow

Well not so mellow perhaps, but certainly yellow. I have just sewn a bag to put my painting backpack in so it can be sent in the hold of an airplane without loosing any of its straps. I hope the colour will stick out enough so I remember to collect it from the baggage roundabout. That was my last sewing job before packing up the machine.

Packing again... erks ...

I am back in Dunedin and it is wonderful to be here. But I am packing again.

Every shop has a sale on but I am discarding rather than acquiring. I am hopeless at discarding and I don't like packing but the task is made much easier with one of these fancy tape dispensers, which I bought, yes, at the sales.

I wonder to myself, as I tape the boxes shut, where and when I shall be opening them again.