Cold Rain From the South

We have had enough sunny days to have the house warm up. My cold toes are much happier. But today, the wind and the rain came up from the south island where they are having snow storms. Happy skiers, but not a day to weed or put down cardboard.

Betsy and I went to Plant Zone Direct Garden Center to look at sheep and chicken pellets, fertilizer for her blue berries, not food for farm animals. There were ivory raspberry plants which I liked, however Betsy was not inclined to add this hybrid to her new berry house. I found iron fantail and tui cutouts for the garden that I would like, but their stakes are too long to fit in my suitcase. There were 2 Great Dane sized dog statues that I suggested to Betsy for her yard, but she was negative. I didn’t dare look at their price. Behind one was a small unmarked tree covered with flowers, perhaps an ornamental cherry. Beautiful, but not native. 

Most garden centers have an attached cafe. Not this one, even though they display lots of home decor including china and flatware in patio-like areas. The kind of place that would encourage people to come and sit while they contemplated spending lots of money on lovely items. 

We went on to Mitre 10 to check prices there. Similar to Home Depot, this place did have a cafe. Just as we were going in to order coffee, the rain started again, so we opted to run to the car instead. 


After lunch agenda: reading on the sofa while it rained. Perhaps a little napping. Fortunately, at 2:55, Betsy remembered we were to meet Helen at 3:15 at the Red Cross center to pick up tables and items for sale that we needed to take to the flower show at rugby center. We jumped into action, swept out the back of the ute, and headed to town.

That job done, we stopped by Countdown for tomatoes Grant needed for his veggie chili. Plus some potato chips and chocolate candy that we may not have needed. 

The rain was coming in heavy bands. There was even tornado warnings for North Island. We made it back to,the house and got inside without getting very wet. Temperatures in the 40s tonight.

Steps Today: 2,849 

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