The grape harvest has started and the rain threatens from the hills. I have been down here in the South Island for six days, enjoying the change from the city. I went for a walk along a boulder strewn beach wondering why there is no one swimming along the wide sweep to the distant Te Parinui o Whiti.

I tried sampling George Wilson plums from the markets, and tree ripened orchard apples. I had time to read, and enjoyed sketching and painting too.