8th January 2005

Woke at 5.16 am to the sound of heavy rain. Think I must have imagined thunder, but no mistaking the smell of bacon.

After a few more hours sleep, woke to more rain, torrential rain, then as if by magic the rain stopped and the sun came out. All the pooled water was dried up by 11 and we went in the car to Takaka and a book fair at The Village Cinema.

Home for lunch then set off on the bike. The wind was heavy but the sun very hot. Highway 60 wasn't pleasant at all so after going North for a while, turned left up the Ward Holmes Road towards the beginning of the Parapara Track. By the road was a swarm of wild bees on a small Manuka tree.

Then turned around and returned to cross main road down to the Grant Road and then the beach at the mouth of the river Puramahoi.

Clem and Mona came for dinner of roast beef & Yorkshire pudding. We talked about the internet, theatre design, sound enhancement, Hillman Humbers, DC3 Dakotas and all manner of things. They invited me to their place at Parapara when I next go up to cycle in the forest there. Hopefully that will be next week sometime.

Dad has been on much better form these past few days, Angela is a wonderful host, I count myself very fortunate to have been given this holiday opportunity.
Photos: 8th January