A tale of two prices, and a turkey

(Snow capped mountains on the horizon are the Kaikoura range on the S. Island)

We've been to the capital today, as hubby had to have the first part of a dental implant. Habitually, when we head south, we stop at a small seaside village for a cup of coffee and I usually sneak into the local charity shop, to see what I can see.

Today was a tale of two price tickets. But let me back up the truck a second for some context. As a child and teenager I was always the 'wrong' size for clothes which were age appropriate. Too tall too soon. It didn't matter though, as my mum was a seamstress and could sew up an outfit quicker than I could do my music homework. In adulthood I seemed doomed to live in countries where the average height was 5 inches shorter than me. So trousers were half mast, skirts were all wrong and shoes had to be bought in special shops for "tall" people.

Now in late middle age I have gained weight too, so shopping is miserable, depressing and / or prohibitively expensive.

Back to the seaside charity shop. I went looking for ANYTHING that might fit, but was inexplicably drawn to a row of sandals which looked new. I almost didn't bother checking the size, but wonder of wonders, a pair of Hush Puppies for $20. And they fit, and I liked them! Sold to the lady in the Damask shirt.

Later in the day, waiting for hubby to recover from an anaesthetic, I wandered into a well known shop for Ladies Of A Certain Build. I have no idea why I bothered because their clothes are generally strange and black and overpriced. A very helpful sales assistant (5'4" at a guess) pulled out pair after pair of trousers, all predictably 4" too short, until miraculously a navy pair emerged from a window display, all floaty and silky and heavenly - a mere $497. Sigh. I made my excuses and left.

In the midst of the sartorial highs and lows, a turkey. We went to a wholesale grocer en route too. I scratched my head because we aren't exactly close to Thanksgiving (for our American immigrants) or Christmas for everyone else. Huge, frozen turkeys for $136. I nearly fainted into the freezer. For that turkey I could buy 6 and a half pairs of sandals or half a trouser leg.

They always choose rough weather

We've noticed over the years that the sheep in these parts have an internal clock 'wired' for harsh weather. They wait until either the frosts harden the land or the snow falls THEN they give birth!

I have just returned from a walk along our road. It was minus 1 degrees last night and this morning there were new lambs. I couldn't photograph the really young ones, they were too shy and mum was too protective. But there are a few fattening up and who will prosper as the spring breaks in a few weeks.

We have also had flooding locally in the last week. Our local river was very high, but mercifully cut too low through earthquake hewn scenery to be a flood risk.

The evenings have been cold enough for wood fires and the warmth of an office lamp to snooze next to, as our junior ginger has discovered. Not only does the desk lamp dry off any rain or frost on his fur, but he has cuddles on demand if he curls up in the in tray.

Senior female ginger has commandered the grocery basket, as it prevents drafts around her derriere!

And the nervous Tabby Boy, just does the alley cat knot to keep warm

Petanquing around

Every Monday we drive to a local town and have a leisurely coffee. It is the privilege of being semi-retired, and I'm not trying to make anyone jealous.

The cafe has a pétanque area next to it, and this morning I got the 'rules' explained by a gentleman and his local buddies. We have an area to the side of our house which is rather useless for growing things as the sun doesn't quite get there (which is perfect on hot summer days). I am seriously wondering if I should measure out a section of the lawn for this activity.