Kaimoana What you need to do is to get yourself up here, toot sweet, and visit Te Runanga o Whaingaroa. Our lovely friend "M" (not her real name/initial) has the amazing ability to so, so sweetly and gently "bully" (in the nicest possible way) people to get boosted. Doesn't matter that you're not in the area - if you need/want it, you get it.
And Grammaretto, now that the borders will soon be open, I echo Kaimoana's suggestion - get on a plane and come to NZ for a break. As you know, it seems daunting, but it's just like taking a long bus ride.
Nfk How lucky are you seeing a sea eagle! Next time we're in the UK, I'm going to put in an order for sea eagles. Britain has such beautiful wildlife, doesn't it. Once we were tootling around Scotland in our little car, and found an amazing tree-clad Iron Age fort above the Solway Firth, in Dumfries. We staggered climbed to the top, and as we rounded a curve, there were two tiny baby badgers out playing in the sunshine. Just the sweetest little things imaginable.
On the subject of family history, on going through boxes of things yesterday, rather than chattering in French, I came across two interesting relics. One is a photo from the 1920s of my paternal grandmother, complete with her bullock team. Yes, she was a lady bullocky! She had 8 magnificent beasts, with absolutely massive curving horns, that she trained herself, and used to drag 20,000 year old kauri logs out of the swamps. She loved those huge, gentle, patient beasts, and always took us as children to see them working on the local Working History days. Bread and golden syrup was always served as a treat to us as kids - known as "Bullockies' Joy", it was the standard, high-calorie food consumed by the hard-working men.
The other item was my grandfather's speeding ticket. Yes, my paternal ancestor was a boy racer! He was fined 5/- in 1908, for '"driving his (horse) team across the Waikato river bridge at faster than walking pace". The shame, the shame!
Well, another bank holiday weekend coming up, so getting in a few supplies before the holiday makers arrive seems a sensible move. It's also very hot and very humid again. I've done my stint in the garden this morning, so this afternoon, it's reading, and just maybe, a nana-nap.