This used to be one of my favourite songs as a kid: “The sun has got his hat on, hip hip hip hip hooray!”. My Uncle Dud used it play it on the record player he built himself. It took up one whole wall of his workshop, and had lots of valves as large as light bulbs that had to warm up before the copper needle the size of a pencil lead could pull the music off the old 78’s he had stashed in his shack. Us kids thought Uncle Dud’s gizmos were great. MOTAT would probably be interested in the contraption too if it still was in existence.

Today the sun certainly had his hat on. After what seems like weeks of rain and wind, it has been lovely to be greeted by two days of clear blue skies.

We’ve been up finishing the flashing on the roof of the two new chalets. Soon I’ll be able to start sorting out the insides of them.

Don't jump!

Yesterday we spent the day putting our solar water heating system back together. Soon Mr Sun, resplendent in his millinery, can sizzle up our water so that once again we have a cylinder full of the hot stuff. Because I’ve pulled out everything else sensible that worked, we are only able to heat water using gas at the moment. Not as green and eco-friendly as we are wanting to be.

Solar hot water system almost back together again

The Wharf 2 Wharf event was a tremendous success. We had 100 entries, which is big by Great Barrier standards, and everyone seemed to have lots of fun (which I still find confusing, as how can running, cycling, or walking 42 kilometres be fun). Our house became the Great Barrier Island Ambulance Station for the week, as I had an ambulance shipped over from the mainland for the event. Fortunately there were only a few minor injuries, and these were well concealed by thick layers of mud. The recent weeks of rain had turned the off-road sections of the course into a mud bath.

Spot the VW hidden in this picture

It was great to have been a part of this event, as it was fantastic way to network with the locals.

Our dear friend Stess providing race support in her racy supports

Yesterday the Spirit of New Zealand sailed into the harbour, as did a pod of 22 dolphins. It certainly feels like summer is on the way.

Ahoy Captain Cook, we've already been discovered!