SNOW ❄️❄️❄️❄️in August!

20 August 2026Uncategorized admin 0 Comments

So pretty, but even a little snow causes chaos here in Dunedin. The hills make things treacherous, and snow equipment is not readily available for making the streets safe, so there is inevitably lots of accidents. I left for work extra early and made it in without too many issues, however the snow and sleet continued. Accident reports, road and school closures came in thick, and fast, staff and patients were at risk attempting to make it to the clinic, (one of the staff wrote her car off trying to make it in), the decision was made to close, an unprecedented call, but definitely a good one!!!! I got to go home early 😉 and Rich, Pica and I went for a wee hike. Pica thought she was back in Canada!

However, most of the day for these two was spent on the couch, tough life but they cope with it admirably 😊 I have started Pica on medication for her arthritis, and it has made a huge difference. I had been putting it off as long as I could because of the liver effects, however it had reached the point where for her quality of life it was necessary. She is back to bouncing about and asking to go for a walk, and she is a big fan of the peanut butter the pill comes with 😉

Luca and friends have been focused on applying for university, scholarships, student loans student allowances and Halls of Residence. It is quite the process!!!! He has conditional acceptance to university (which means he has to finish and pass level 3 NCEA, this is the usual process here in NZ for the last year of schooling, if you want to pursue tertiary education). He spent hours one weekend working through it all, Pica gave excellent morale support from the opposite couch 🙂

His driving is coming along nicely, Rich says he is doing really well. It is best I am not involved; I am way too much of a control freak for it to be at all helpful 😂😂, Rich is perfect for this teaching role. Luca also does some AA driving lessons and will be booked later in the year for a defensive driving course prior to getting his restricted license. He is aiming to get his full unrestricted license by December next year.

My bees will be getting busy soon, but as the last of the cold weather hits they are staying cozy inside waiting it out.

The first signs of winter coming to an end are these resilient flowers starting to spring up, adding some colour to the deck.

Luca and Ted went off to Central Otago for a mini break in Queenstown and Wanaka. They had a blast of course 😂

Then this happened!!!!

Braces came off!!! It has been a long 3 years but so worth it, space in there now for his wisdom teeth. They were taken off the day before the Prom (Formal) and the Orthodontist sent this photo which I so appreciated!