Almost a half century ago I was walking along a back road in California on a bad day because a relationship was coming apart.  Not the first or last time.  I had a camera and was looking for something to photograph when I came across the remnants of a road killed rabbit.  I took the picture and titled it, ‘self-portrait on a bad day.’

        Today was actually a very good day, but as I walked to Pahia I passed a road killed opossum and remembered.

        There is a big high out in the Tasman, resulting in a southwest flow of air over northern New Zealand.  The forecast for today, as every day this week, is fine periods, some clouds, scattered showers.

        One of those scattered showers caught me as I walked up the first hill, but lasted only a few minutes.  I was glad I had thought to bring my light anorak .

       

        I so enjoy that walk. 

        Today the tide was high, so I followed the road all the way. 

       

        I went in to have the batteries replaced in both of my watches, one of which had stopped and the other was losing time, to get cash from an ATM, have lunch at 35º South, which has improved their menu--I had a Thai beef salad--and buy a bottle of gin.

        At the last minute I bought a bottle of rum instead.

        No one can say that I’m not open to change.