This item about Google Plus codes was really interesting: On the Navajo Nation, Accurate Mailing Addresses Save Lives.

If you want to find your own Plus Code start with Technology - Plus Codes. It's very simple.

For example, Hank Edwards Reserve at Waikawa Beach is at 846X+JF.

Here's some handy info for my Kiwi pals: Māori Greetings Signoffs for Letters Emails (PDF).

The new one I learned today: Ngā mihi maioha : Thank you with appreciation.

Screenshot of some greetings.

At dawn (8 am) we waited outside our expensive but basic motel in Te Anau for the bus tour to Milford Sound. You can see in the video the sprinkling of snow on the mountain tops. We needed our warm rain jackets.

From Queenstown we travelled to Te Anau where I was able to spend a few minutes walking round Punanga Manu | the bird sanctuary. I had a wonderful close-up view of a total of 5 takahē. 🐦

Te Anau bird sanctuary sign.
Takahē on grass, feeding

Yesterday I took a bunch of rubbish photos at the beach. Today I applied more thought. A pair of white-faced herons was keeping an eye on my process. 🐦

A pair of white-faced herons on driftwood, looking at me.

This Paradise Shelduck pair stood out on the lake today. 🐦

Paradise Shelduck pair.

This 20 minute video was super interesting: The most important CONSONANT in English by Dr Geoff Lindsey.

The rains must have brought this big clump of weed down the river and onto the beach.

Large clump of green weed on a sandy beach.

We spent a night in Queenstown where the countryside is very beautiful. The town itself is cramped and busy, accommodation very expensive. It's full of tourists and tourist stuff. Loads of cafes, hotels, outdoor shops. Utterly atypical of Aotearoa at large.

Fiery red mountain tops at dawn.
Fiery red mountain tops at dawn.

Today I attended a meeting near the Levin War Memorial. I've driven past plenty of times but never before taken the time to stroll around the garden.

War memorial column and walls with names listed.
A plaque memorialising the contributions of animals.

Pets and mascots have always been part of military culture
They offered comfort solace and simple distraction
from the grim realities of war.
Through their unwavering devotion and boundless affection
they kept spirits high and gave many
a link to normality and peace
We honour their deeds and faithfulness

The Cromwell Heritage Precinct has old stone buildings and a view over the Clutha River where jetskis and others were hooning around.

Stone building in Cromwell.
Cromwell view across the river to brown hills beyond.

On our holiday, between Lake Pukaki and Cromwell I just watched the scenery go by, and took a few photos from the moving car.

Dry brown hills and clear blue sky.
Dry brown hills and clear blue sky.

Fungi at Waiopehu Scenic Reserve

Today I wandered around Waiopehu Scenic Reserve. It's a dim, damp and cool bush walk where I spotted all sorts of fungi I can't identify. It was a pleasant half hour.

White underneath and black on top.
White underneath and black on top.
White underneath and black on top.
White underneath and black on top.
Little ones and bigger ones.
Little ones and bigger ones.
Brown-orange-wet looking fungi.
Like tiny orange snack crackers.
Like tiny orange snack crackers.

I was in the mood to read all day and lost myself in Murder Against the Odds (Warwick & Bell Crime Mysteries Book 4) by Janice Frost. 📚

It was a good, engaging read with some unexpected outcomes.

Book cover: Murder Against the Odds.

Morning waves. For the Pacific Wave Appreciation Society. 🌊

Morning waves on a dull day.
Morning waves on a dull day.

Murder on a Country Walk (Warwick & Bell Crime Mysteries Book 4) by Janice Frost was another enjoyable read. 📚

I like these lead characters, though in this book one of the victims / suspects was seriously unpleasant.

Interestingly, it looks like I've skipped Book 3 somehow …

Book cover: Murder on a Country Walk.

Heaven forbid we feed kids just because they're hungry!

Associate minister of education David Seymour wants a “robust, statistically significant comparison that has been able to find that the [school lunch] programme has increased attendance at school.”

All the things we won’t know in 10 years | The Spinoff.

OK, my new endeavour: Portuguese for Beginners | Udemy. Day 1: obrigada. 🇵🇹

Screen reads obrigado obrigada thank you.

When Waka Kotahi built the Kāpiti Expressway they installed a sealed shared path (bikes, pedestrians, horses) alongside it. Today I did a little 12 Km return bike ride along the path.

Kāpiti Expressway from an overbridge.
A section of sealed bike path with plants on either side and hills in the distance.

I seem to be in a phase where I'm generally low level irritable and scratchy and want to shed some involvements, engagements and responsibilities (I don't even have many).

Someone asked me to do an easy task many others could do and I had to work up the courage to say No. Ugh.