Although snuggling up at home is fun there comes a point where you need a change of scene. We ventured out today and managed to get the dogs a walk for about 20 minutes before the heavens opened again. This picture shows the extent of the storm damage to our neighbours land.
They’ve been working hard for months thinning out the old trees and dead wood to free up the native trees that have become choked over the years. Clearing the patch also gives them more much needed land for their sheep and cattle to roam in.
They’ll be gutted to see what the storm has done. So many of the trees have been torn from the ground and uprooted. I wonder what they’ll do – perhaps try and replant? I’d hate to see their wood pile grow further but fear that this might be the only solution.
Just down the road in Te Marua the damage has been as bad in places. One guy just spend $70,000 on a new garage and workshop for a tree to drop on it. Here’s a tree that can’t be replanted blocking one of the side roads in Te Marua.
We’ve been so lucky really. There are a few trees that could have been staked better that are waving in the wind but no roots showing I’m pleased to say. Because our house is tucked away a little down hill we were sheltered from some of the worst of the gusty winds.
The rain has flooded our flowerbeds though and I’m worried we might lose some of our plants. We’ll have to get some more remedial drainage in place this weekend. The forecast is for the weather to improve on Sunday. Here’s the views from the front veranda. Our non existent lawn is at least starting to grow with all the moisture it’s been getting.
I’m afraid most of New Zealand is under water and some parts of Northland and Christchurch are flooding. I’m counting my blessing to be honest and warming myself on the glow of my folks and friends in Europe who are basking in summer sun!
The storm didn’t leave only silence in its wake, impressive damage. Poor neighbors, it’s terrible when your roots are showing, but worse when that means you’ve spent a lot of time on something that won’t work out. Do the winters in New Zealand always get so bad?
Hi Claudious – I’ve only had two winters in New Zealand. The first in 2006 lasted from 3 March (I arrived on 23 February) until the third week in January 2007. No joke. Even the locals were saying it was a bad winter. We had an amazing summer over 2007/2008 and this winter seems to have been late in arriving and now just very wet. Makes up for the drought we had over the summer months. I don’t think there is such a thing as normal weather any longer. Maybe global warming is kicking in real time.