Sunrise over Poo.

Spook is providing the webcam results from 8am this morning. From the Poo Factory looking towards the same mountains we see from over the hedge at our house.

You don't need to come to NZ to enjoy a Kiwi experience.

3 cups plain flour

5 tspoons baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

75g butter

1 to 1 and 1/2 cups milk approx

flour, b powder and salt into bowl, Cut butter into wee cubes and rub in. add 1 tbsp sugar and cup of chopped dates. Add milk and mix quickly to soft dough. Knead a few times. Push out into a flat round shape and cut into 6. Place on tray with grease proof paper, sprinkle with a mix of sugar and cinamon and put in oven 220c for 10 mins. I can't make scones....but I can make these. Kiwi as!

The local ski fields have 1m of snow and it is being hailed as the best start to the winter since 1995. Still not opening until 26th June but expecting a bumper season.

When I was in the surgery with Meg today (she,getting 2nd of vaccination for protection against Cervical Cancer), I read in a magazing that you get the best sleep from before 2am, and we should all be tucked up and sleeping by 10pm to have the best chance of keeping healthy. We did very well with that last night, but as I have managed to get the house from 4 degrees this morning to a balmy 20degrees, I am less inclined to jump into bed so early. Couple that with Spook messing up my work target by going back out to work at 8pm tonight, and there's little chance of him snoozing before 10pm. You think he'd be content with the 10hrs. He is also talking of going in early tomorrow. This could be useful financially, as Finn has banned me from Wastebusters until his birthday as I don't earn enough. I may be able to persuade him to lift the ban. I miss the place.

I am grateful again for a warm library. I am really enjoying the story about the little duck that the librarian reads to the different school classes every day (95 times, she told me she has read it to the little darlings of Wanaka).

I am grateful to Spook for his jump starting me with his cards and I think I have convinced him that I can occupy my day most happily without them now (they did suggest quite a lot of jumping on the bike and very little sitting in warm libraries).

I am grateful for Finn's hug when I gave him warm pyjamas. Shorts and t-shirt don't cut it now.

I am grateful for it being payday.