Leaving for Takaka

Takaka. Pronounced Tar-k'-ka. Don't know what's there. But I have a place to stay with some nice sounding people. I will be leaving Picton and Paua shells to hit the road again.

I was in the sea this afternoon, snorkelling in crystal clear sea. The temperature is around 23 C. The summer is starting. And I keep forgetting it is almost Christmas, because it is not raining, drizzling, spitting or snowing. Don't know how Santa is supposed to get around without snow. And besides, most Kiwi home don't have central heating let alone a chimney breast. Despite this the shops are full of glitz and tinsel, snowmen and Santas and baubels. Which never fails to make me frown. It is like every shop is a Poundsaver with an off season sale of last year's unwanted decorations. Christmas glitz is never more tacky than when it is displayed off season. Believe me, here is off season- I'm running out of sunbloc!