Storm’s coming

Bad storm on the way from further up the North Island – have checked in with family and we’re all good to go:

• Mother’s made soup and other things that can be heated up on the fire.
• Father’s got in a load of firewood.
• It’s only got as high a 6 degrees in Blenheim and the dogs were lucky to get a walk.
• I’ve done all the outside jobs this morning and am set up to stay inside the rest of the weekend if need be – have food and candles and if the power fails a batch of peanut brownies are almost out of the oven.
• Apparently ‘rain fade’ could stop the broadcast of the rugby tonight – oh god what will the nation do?
• Whangeri CBD was closed at midday with powerlines down and flooding.
• Auckland’s Sky Tower has been evacuated due to mass sea-sickness from the swaying and skiers have been evacuated off Mt Ruapehu.
• Interisland ferries have been cancelled.
• People are being warned to bring their pets and rubbish bins inside.
• The upper North Island really is getting hammered and is set to be here by tomorrow bringing more big wind and seas like earlier in the week.

From stuff.co.nz – one of the Interislander ferries yesterday.