Working from home today...so prepped a vegan minestrone soup for the Instant Pot.

Wednesday morning...it's still raining ☹️

Tuesday morning and I'm still not warming up to the idea that I'm at work.

With current pledges, the world's on track for 2.6°C of warming in 2100 compared to preindustrial levels. 10 years ago, before the Paris agreement, it was 3.6°C 20+ years ago, we thought it would be 4-5°C So 2.6°C is better, but the problem is that climate impacts are way worse than we predicted.

Thought I'd check my weight after a break from weigh ins and calorie counting. I know I'm eating more. Weight was 63.7 kg. A bit lower than I expected but still within my desired range. I think I've picked up some good habits.

Tonight's vegan dinner - a Toor dal with extras (chili 🌶️, capsicum/bell pepper, potato and spinach). A well rounded, spicy delicious meal. #vegan

Saw someone I hadn't seen in a couple of months today. Her first comment was "You've lost weight!" followed by "You need to eat more food!"

Phone pic from this morning's walk. The estuary by our village. It's a lovely late Spring day.

So, in a small victory for conservation, there's now 1 less possum in our neighborhood. The trap in our ngahere caught and killed a monster possum last night.

Well my blood test results came in today. Dr threw every test she could think of at me. And everything- Vitamin B12, cholesterol, iron etc is where it should be. I'm not ingesting too much sodium, potassium is high. So it looks like I'm doing things right on that front.

Love that these 30-40million year old limestone rocks look like they're a Dr Who creature waiting for a poor unsuspecting human to accidentally stand on them & turn to stone. Kura Tāwhiti Castle Hill, Canterbury NZ #Nikon #GreatNZRoadie

#NZ There’s a national immunisation week starting on Monday aims to raise vaccination rates For measles we need a 95% coverage. Currently it’s - 76.4% of all 2-year-olds - 70.4% of Pacific 2-year-olds - 63.3% of Māori toddlers - 1 in 3 kids who catch it are hospitalised. Some will have brain damage

Another bonus of the trip to China was being able to buy a proper tea knife (pictured with some Pu'er tea). Being a long time visitor to China, I have an appreciation for the many variants of Chinese tea.

In my recent trip to China (for work), I did get to visit the Qin Terracotta Warriors. A very different experience to 2008, when there were no crowds. This time the gallery was packed with people, all jostling for a look at the soldiers. It's still as amazing as ever #photography #China

The home solar system takes another step forward. It'll be installed in late November. In time for summer 🙂 In contrast to many NZ households, we use a steady monthly amount of electricity. The normal Winter jump, is curbed by the use of a wood firebox for heating.

Saying we need to focus more on economics and less on climate change is just saying you don't understand either.

Back in NZ (at baggage claim). It was a packed flight so I'm expecting a wait

Just waiting for the plane now, to begin boarding. Over half an hour to go. Hopefully the flight home won't be as "eventful" as the flight over!

We've landed in Guangzhou. So on to the international transfers and another lengthy security check...

The trek home has begun. I've cleared security at Xi'an airport with plenty of time to relax. Next stop is Guangzhou

It's morning in Xi'an and it has finally stopped raining. For the day I'm leaving 😔 The view from my Hotel balcony

Last day in Xi'an. Luggage packed. Going to spend some of the day exploring and then, head to airport in mid-afternoon 🙂

Tower at the Famen Temple (Yangling, China). Because it was a grey, drizzly day that sucked all the colours from the scene, I photographed it for a black-and-white conversion. #travelphotography

Early morning in Xi'an. I've not seen the Sun this trip, which isn't helping my jet lag. Will need to buy more food also.

Good morning. It's another gray, drizzly and cool day in Yangling. I haven't seen the Sun yet this trip. Going to Xi'an late this afternoon for 2 days.

First day of conference and first keynote speaker collapses on to the stage. Rather dramatically. She's now in Hospital. Anyway, the second keynote (me) went off without a hitch 🙂 I don't think I'll mention my medical event to them 😬

Now in Xi'an, trip so far good. Just need to collect my luggage and then get to Yangling

Not a great flight personally. Had a medical event (fainted) early in flight. On the plus side I got an entire row to myself to recover

En route to airport. It's a long drive.

One more day to go until my next trip to China 🙂

63.4 kg in this morning's weigh in. Hoping I don't drop below 63

Friday evening, and I’m in a Film Noir mood. So it’s a rewatch of the Bogart classic “The Big Sleep”.

Well, we've reached a decision on the solar panels. Going for a 15-panel Aiko system with a Tesla Powerwall 3 battery.

Goregous Spring morning in Tāmaki Makaurau today, and I have to be at work. (Insert longing look out window to green environment)

Working on climate change is skipping like a stone over sentences like "A new study analysing 49 years of data from 20 sites indicated carbon is being emitted because trees are dying and decaying faster than they can be replaced." every day while people with power do everything to make it worse.

So...Monday already. I'm not enthusiastic 😬

In the early stages of getting solar power for house (i.e. the quotes stage). Thinking that with 5 adults, when many of us are here during the day, there should be a good return on it. Also, a battery to adapt to rising climate change disasters.

Sir Geoffrey Palmer and Chris Finlayson offer praise for the Waitangi Tribunal – and damning criticism of the coalition Government. Sam Sachdeva reports.

John Lodge has died?! Damn. Another disappointing morning in the obituaries

Well, that's Tuesday finished. In 2 weeks, I'm heading back to China.

Weird, after a few days in low 64 kg range, last two weigh ins were 63.7 and 63.5 kg. Anyway I’ve got my road cyclist weight back again.

The 65kg line had its first break today 🙂 This morning’s weigh-in was 64.8 kg.

I've had to move the cat to get into bed, so now she's looking at me from the end of the bed, all hurt and betrayed

Now have had lowest weigh in for the week, this morning, at 65.2 kg. I may be able to break the 65kg line sometime soon. And today's 'food of the week' is pumpkin seeds. They're a little mineral powerhouse.

Juvenile tūī feeding on kōwhai flowers- while fledged, they haven't yet got their full adult plumage. They're still very boisterous. The birds are nectivorous, and pollinate native plants. The crown of yellow pollen on the head is a giveaway! The second shot shows off the tip of the bird's tongue.

I started the 30 plants a week challenge yesterday, and was by, dinner today was at 35 plants. Seems being a whole-food vegan puts one at an advantage in such matters! 🙂 I‘ve a pantry and produce bin in fridge, that hasn’t been exhausted yet! #vegan

Today my friends band released an album. It’s a big moment for her. She suggested giving me a cd, but at the release party I bought a copy on the sly. Because friends support friends art. It’s very good. You should check them out on streaming (and Bandcamp) *The Melancholics

It turns out you can add plain pea protein to an Indian Dhal (curry) and is a cheap way to lift the protein level without affecting the taste.

After frolicking in the grass, it's back to her beanbag for some affection and a nap

Putting a soft blanket on a bed causes a cat to be trapped, and rendered asleep, for hours.