A loud clap and sustained crashing of thunder woke me at 5 AM but I managed to put off the inevitable til daybreak. Then Mr. Green and I set off on foot through a wintry mix of snow, hail and icy rain to find some breakfast. Even though New Zealand is literally one stop from Antartica, snow at sea level here in the south is surprisingly newsworthy. Don't know if I'll ever get used to 'south' meaning 'colder than north'.

We dashed into a little place which serves oatmeal, Mr. Green's favorite (the locals call it porridge) and we proceeded to the counter and to the solidly built man standing behind it. Wearing a t-shirt, tatoos and an apron, from his manner I'd say that he may have been a pirate in another life. Visibly irritated with us for no good reason, it seems likely that he and his bad mood had a hand in baking this scone.

Big as my head, don't be fooled by the lovely golden color or what appear to be raisins or candied fruit peel, this scone was was full of sauteed onion, scallion and maybe flecks of carrot. Maaayybe I'd go for it at afternoon tea. Part of it. At 7AM, it was a deal breaker. But I'm not one to admit mistakes or to throw in the towel and dutifully put away most of it. Five hours later, I still feel as though I'll never know hunger again.

Meanwhile the weather continues to cycle through the worst of what winter has to offer. I'm thinking about a nap and maybe getting back to that long-discussed 'highlights reel'. Pretty sure I can edit video from under the covers.

Pelting icy rain and snow NOT SHOWING UP in photo.