Several people independently recommended this book to me, based on a true story of a child from Tipperary who ended up running a hotel in Queenstown. Had to wait a few weeks to get it via the library. Great writing.

I’ve just had a refreshing swim in an outdoor pool- first time this summer. ☀️🌟☀️

Bonkers panorama of last week's massive Tahu-nui-a-rangi #Aurora Australis Niagara Falls, Caitlins, New Zealand Nikon Z7ii 20mmS F/1.8 2sec ISO800 X5 frame panorama 21st Jan 2026, 12:30am Kp9 G3/4 geomagnetic storm #Aurora #AuroraAustralis

The #Aurora Australis went coronal (directly overhead), extremely rare at 45°S, but also strangely the 3rd coronal event I've been in the past 2 years here in New Zealand during this solar cycle. These images are 10 seconds apart looking straight up! #Nikon #Photography

I just found out using Luke Howison's wonderful scans of the Intentions to Marry indexes, that a Lalor great-uncle and great-aunt had intentions to marry notices within three days of each other for weddings at their parent's house in South Beach. Did they actually marry on the same day?

@andrewredfern.bsky.social I'm pleased to note that as a result of your AI Legacy webinar I have just used ChatGPT to transcribe a bio I'd written in 1996 for my grandfather that I only had an image left of for some reason. It did a perfect job. Now I can edit it and add some new material!

Kūwaha #KiaMāori #ReoMāori #Kikorangi #Wāhine #Kuia #MāoriSky #Skybrarian Pom pom curtain now in doorway of my office/craft room

@dimsie.bsky.social The man who restored this house would be a good mate for Perth Gore Uncle I reckon. www.stuff.co.nz/home-propert...

Yet another grey windy day in Palmy though the showers seem to have eased. But I am glad that I planted some zinnias as they are chirpy no matter what the weather.

The neatest tidiest signature I have seen from my grandfather. Very sadly, on the inquest document from his statement after his 5 year old daughter Annie died of burns- an aunty I heard about but never got to meet. Heartbreaking for the family.

What a treasure to have for family genealogy.

How embarrassing is it to have a PM who finally flies in to a disaster scene only so he can avoid going to Ratana. He should have left it to Mark Mitchell who did seem to know what he was talking about.

I have never heard anyone say this, but I'm adopting it immediately. 😁

If anybody would like a little low-pressure arty distraction I can recommend a wee workshop I did called box journalling. Great procrastination buster. Divide your page up and fill it with mini sketches from your camera roll. Here are a couple of my pages which really tickle me. #journal

Three #kakapo nests found on Anchor Island today! Here’s Waikawa, on two eggs. #conservation #birds #parrots

Agree absolutely. I want to see evidence that a party has the vision and passion to make NZ society more equitable again.

Less paper but NOT paperless #Genealogy. Properly stored, photos & vital records are safe & accessible for long term. Most of us began with family documents & photos. Plus multiple #FamilyTrees on multiple #FamilyHistory sites keeps ancestors safe. climbingmyfamilytree.blogspot.com/2026/01/less...

In today’s NZ Herald

Post a car photo you took.

Deleting some photos off my iPad as it’s too full for an update. But I realise I have some historic photos here.

This is an important story and I'm glad it so clearly makes the point that hospice isn't just a place you go to die, it's also a service delivered out in the community. Hospice nurses are absolute champs at working out what people need and getting it to happen. This system cannot be allowed to fail.

All of this proves I was wise to pack up my tent and come south to get home yesterday!

A bit of horticultural boasting but this is an unusual sight. Most people grow these as a single bulb in a pot (costing $25 to $40 each) which is where we will have started 40 years ago. Now gently naturalised. Scadoxus multiflorus ssp katherinae.

The #OnePlaceStudies blogging and social media prompt for this month, #OnePlaceAdverts has prompted me to post an article 'Advertising New Zealand in the 1870s' used to encourage emigrants on the Woodlark in 1874. app.weare.xyz/public/the-w...

Hauraki viewpoint this morning.

Fortunately I was staying the night in Auckland with my niece when the thunderstorms struck last night. Have just cycled from Kaiaua. Now going looking for a campground for a few nights so I can cycle and watch birds.

My walk in Waihi this morning made my hair frizzy. It had rained and was incredibly humid. Great conditions for seeing raindrops on spiderwebs.

I’m in Paeroa at a table outside a fish and chip shop- Aquarius. Feeling slightly grumpy as it’s going to be raining on my tent tonight. Then the fish and chip shop guy came out with a cancelled order, looking for one of the local homeless. Truly, I have no right to be grumpy.

Cycled about 30km from Paeroa. Lovely day for it.

Brings back memories. Waihi Station.

Aww, a beautiful story - well done Sam and Tamahau ❤️

Ohhh I like this word Wordle 1,667 4/6 ⬜⬜🟩⬜⬜ ⬜⬜🟩🟩⬜ ⬜⬜🟩🟩⬜ 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

My sister and her 2 grandchildren stayed in Palmy with me for a week. Weather was good all week. She left and the wind got up- skies were grey- now it’s drizzly. Come back!!!

It's started! The 2026 #kakapo breeding season is under way, with the first nest found on Whenua Hou today. Pearl is on two eggs. #conservation #parrots #birds

I'd searched a few times for my father's Proficiency results on Papers Past. Suddenly tonight it popped up. He was always called Jim for short- but there he was, perfectly legitimately, as James Riordan.

Genealogy posts of all sorts.

So, Luxon’s clearly overseas, his office is vacant, Helen Clark’s here and acting like a leader, what say she moves into the 9th floor office for the foreseeable? #NZPol

Love this by Danish cartoonist Niels Bo Bojensen:

All set up with some extra bits for the imminent arrival of Ms4 & Ms6 into the house for a few days. Thanks to a neighbour for some toys, and the library for some books.

Going through my paternal grandparents folder today. Found that I have done a really good summary bio for my grandmother. But only a sketchy one for my grandfather. Next job is… #genealogy

Interesting, albeit slightly scary implications!

For 2026 genealogy I’ve embarked on checking all my NZ family info. First folder was straightforward. Digital and physical folders aligned. I was surprised. This must have been sorting I did during a lockdown when I had hours at home!

good grief by making a comment about our crap weather I have drawn the attention of a zillion US bots. Blocked in hope of the return of some peaceful sanity but maybe it's too late. @dimsie.bsky.social I feel your pain.

So we have just finished with the strong wind warnings. Now we are on watch for thunderstorms and heavy rain. Glad I haven’t left on my camping trip yet. 🤪

I’m enjoying watching some Super Smash cricket on TVNZ+. Down side is that the weather is better where the games are.

I was once in the queue of arrivals at CDG in Paris. The people around me were all getting excited about the man in front of me. I spoke to him in my best French to say hello and sorry I never knew who he was. I think he enjoyed my ignorance.

My neighbours are away camping and asked me to put their bins out. Blowing a gale here so was going to do it in the morning. But I think someone in family put recycling out at midday. Predictably it’s blown over. I’ve stopped as many aluminium cans from blowing down the street as I could.

@mghistorical.com Have been trying to work out who the child in the photo with Martin and Ann is. Wedding photo? Nieces Mary Burke and Isabella Forester were both 10 in the 1861 census so not them. Must check if Judith Flynn (Milroy) had a child of the right age.

Source: NZ Herald @dimsie.bsky.social Covid outbreak in Gore closes hospital.

My personal trainer and I walked 78km last week...we'll...I walked 78, she probably did 100.