Sweetheart...

………………………………………..Rose



This sweet wee rose is also known as Cecile Brunner.

Today is Valentine’s Day - so tiny buds and blooms in honour of love and romance.




Thank you for the comments, stars and hearts for yesterday’s rugged structure - who could turn down the offered view, no neighbours and plenty of fresh air!!



Cyclone Gabrielle
This morning Defence Minister Kieran McAnulty described overnight weather conditions as ‘incredibly severe’, and declared a national state of emergency at 8.43am, for only the third time in NZ’s history. 
It allows the central government, in particular the National Emergency Management Agency, more powers to help manage and control the emergency.
In this case, the state of national emergency will only apply to the six regions which have already declared local states of emergency - Northland, Auckland, Tairawhiti, Bay of Plenty, Waikato, and Hawkes Bay.

Extensive flooding, numerous road closures due to water, damage and slips, uprooted trees, thousands of homes without power …… the list goes on and on. The damage to property is devastating, and of course the impact on so many people and their lives is heartbreaking.

This morning the orange alert for the Top of the South Island, where I live, was lifted as the Tasman area had been bypassed by the cyclone - thankfully.