Purl the black and ginger tortie kitten is curled up on my shoulder, purring enthusiastically.

Purl is still on my shoulder, and her sister Artemis is now on my lap.

I guess this means I'm stuck on the couch for a while...

Cyclone Vaianu 7:20am Update

The strongest winds are yet to come as Cyclone Vaianu approaches the country. Areas such as Auckland won't see their strongest winds until this afternoon, as the wind shifts southwesterly behind the cyclone.

Ah so cute!

A tortie kitten is sitting directly below a tv screen, where the Hermits are playing Pearldle

My kitten Purl trying to join in the Pearldle

#hermitcraft

Artemis and Purl, snuggled on the sofa

Purl complaining that I stopped the scritches

Artemis!

Xbox remote needs investigating with teeth

They stayed still for a moment this morning, so now I have photos!

Both girls joined me on the sofa for a snuggle tonight! No pics because my hands were busy giving scritches 🥰

Introducing Purl (tortie girl) and Artemis (ginger girl). Both named for the moon 🌔

Sound up!! 🐈🐈‍⬛

[alt text by NASA] The Moon, seen here backlit by the Sun during a solar eclipse on April 6, 2026, is photographed by one of the cameras on the Orion spacecraft’s solar array wings. Orion is visible in the foreground on the left. Earth is reflecting sunlight at the left edge of the Moon, which is slightly brighter than the rest of the disk. The bright spot visible just below the Moon’s bottom right edge is Saturn. Beyond that, the bright spot at the right edge of the image is Mars. Credit: NASA

Whoa 🤯

The Moon, in full eclipse, with the #Artemis II Orion spacecraft. Part of the Moon and spacecraft are lit by Earthshine, and both Saturn and Mars are visible to the lower right. Incredible. Details: images.nasa.gov/details/art0...

An elderly ginger and white cat, sitting inside his cat bed. He is enjoying some chin scritches.

I recently lost my 20-year investment.

After much soul searching, I am about to try out two new funds (fingers crossed for a similarly long investment term!)

The karaoke at the Bunnings sausage sizzle is so bad that several dogs are howling

Border collie found one week after owner falls down waterfall in alpine backcountry "I'm pretty sure she's been munching on the odd possum and she's in pretty good condition, considering," one of her rescuers says.

Have you listened to the chopper guy's interview on RNZ? It's *amazing*

Border collie found one week after owner falls down waterfall in alpine backcountry | RNZ News share.google/qc4RnfZI9fl2...

It was one of the non-copyright song options on the video editor!

A screenshot from a bike dashcam, showing a motorcycle being driven along the northwestern cycleway in Auckland.

A screenshot from a bike dashcam, showing a motorcycle being driven along the northwestern cycleway in Auckland. There is no visible numberplate on the back of the vehicle, which is required by law.

Anyone spot a number plate on this moped?? I realise that they can't be on the motorway at 50kph, but using a shared footpath is a bit much...

A screenshot of Google maps, showing a path from Roberts Reserve to New Lynn

Unfortunately its just the morning rat-run roads once you get to Roberts Rd, with a lot of elevation changes.

The screengrab below is asking Google maps for directions from Roberts Reserve to New Lynn, which mostly agrees with my map of the back roads thru there.

With this link open, you can now *technically* bike from Te Atatū to New Lynn without going on Great North Rd or Te Atatū Rd!

And here's a quick video of the #TeWhau pathway, from the NW cycleway to Roberts Road.

So pretty 😍 🚴🤸‍♀️😍

(shown at x2 speed)

Auckland’s annual plan – have you given feedback yet? The Annual Plan 2026/2027 prioritises transport, water and local boards responding to their local communities’ needs.

Want more Te Whau pathway boardwalk? Make sure to let Auckland Council know!!

Auckland’s annual plan – have you given feedback yet? - OurAuckland share.google/Age8qyEAfDca...

Official opening ceremony was yesterday afternoon!

Te Whau Pathway Project Connecting harbours and communities

Te Whau Pathway Project – Connecting harbours and communities share.google/8Bz4EAhYNbwd...

This is 1/2 of what would have been Section 5 of the pathway (steel and concrete are expensive y'all!).

The pathway starts at the Roberts Road reserve, and heads north past the boat club, and connects to the NW cycleway.

Eventually it should go all the way from the NW cycleway to New Lynn!

A winding cycleway, sitting above the mangroves, on a beautiful sunny day

Riding on the new Te Whau pathway - she's gorgeous!!

#TeWhau

The back of the mirror, with a folded up section of newspaper lying on top. The newspaper is yellowed with age.

A close up of the newspaper, showing the date as Saturday, November 22, 1980.

As a neat bit of trivia, I know the mdf repair is from 1980, because they sealed up a section of the Herald in the back of the mirror!

I'm guessing the mdf didn't quite fit the angle of the wood frame, so my grandad used the paper to fill the gap.

An old octagonal mirror, with a dark wooden frame.

A close up of the makers stamp on the back of the mirror. There is a faded double-B logo, then a string of numbers and letters: BCM / JH8S 15 SEP 1926

Does anyone know anything about old mirrors?

I have one (my great grandparents wedding gift!) that has an issue with the frame, so I've taken the c.1980 mdf backing off & found the original maker stamp.

Except this looks to be from 1926, and my dad says the wedding was earlier than that...
#mirror

Gold Banner on Red Background: Stop Forcing A.I. into Fucking EVERYTHING! Nobody Asked For It; Everyone Hates It

Stop Forcing A.I. into Fucking EVERYTHING!

Auckland was once a food garden managed by Māori. That knowledge could shape the future. From the University of Auckland - Comment: Tāmaki Makaurau was built off the back of Māori growing and selling food. How can we look to the past for what lies ahead?

newsroom.co.nz/2025/03/24/a...

Trump orders removal of ‘improper ideology’ from top US museums Trump’s new executive order targets what he describes as the spread of a “divisive, race-centered ideology” at museums.

aje.io/wygyy4

People lining up and turning their backs on the speaker.

The response as David Seymour is speaking at Waitangi today. The microphone has been cut out and the crowd is singing to drown him out.

We think they were specifically after chargers, to make it easier to sell stolen ebikes.

Keep an eye out y'all!!

Hey Auckland bike folks...

Our work bike cage was broken into this morning. Luckily no bikes were stolen, but my bike charger is gone.

The thieves took a crowbar to the door to get it open, and their car plates don't match the car on CarJam.