Cheeky!

With house guests in the past 2 days LB hasn't been indoors - he's the original scaredy cat.....mama's boy!  So he doesn't go without food completely until the guests leave I've been putting his bowl outside for him.  Clearly the local bird population now sees being indoors as their safe haven!  I coulnd't believe it when I saw this (young blackbird?) hop over the hearth.  There have been quite a few birds on the back deck this last few days I wonder if they're scavenging a few of LB's biscuits from in and around his bowl?  Still, going into the house takes the cake!

In other news, more images and footage coming out of Kaikoura - looks so unbelievably wrecked but the standout for me is the strength and resilience the locals are showing.  Early days, I know, but it's a positive start to what is sure to be a very long journey for them.  Monday morning's earthquake, orignally reported as a 6.6M then upgraded to a 7.5M, then descibed as not one but two different colliding quakes, has now been upgraded again to 7.8M.  That really is massive.  According to media sources:  "The revised magnitude means the mainshock was in fact nearly twice as big (1.995 times) and 2.818 times stronger, in terms of energy release, than had been thought, and could lead to stronger aftershocks for a longer duration than expected."


And meanwhile, up in Wellington, crakcs and damage is beginning to show through in some buildings which are looking like they may have to be demolished.  


The raw power of Mother Nature is truly both remarkable and terrifying at the same time.


Be strong Kaikoura.