In a wild mood swing the other direction!

Then there are days when New Zealand is perfect! Went to Piha today with Maria and Dom, both doing their PhDs at my university. The beach was uncrowded (largely because of a concert at the other end), the water was warm, the waves well-shaped, and the black sand shone in the sun.

And a little girl, in her wet-suit, on her body-board, grins at me. I ask her if she's enjoying herself and she says "Yes", sill question. Her dad, giving her a push before the waves, said "Look at her face", and I saw the same blissed expression I had on. Then it's "This one has my name on it, Daddy", and she was off. Family time as it should be!

And wet-suit and body-board could have been the best Christmas presents ever, thanks to my Beloved, and his parents.

Who wouldn't live here? And be a beach-bunny all summer? Why do we have to earn money to live?

Happy hugs to you all,
Me.

(This icon more accurately represents the beach today than my "palm" one - though the skies were blue, with fluffy clouds.)