Ermine

16km (10 miles) of this connects us to a road that leads to civilization

That hill in the background is the high ground above/behind our community.
 

View from my caravan as the rain set in on Thursday evening

View on a better day

It surprised one of my English friends to see a photo of our road and learn there is 10 miles of that which follows the coast round two major headlands, through a tiny community called Wakaretu, and right round our inlet/bay (which you see the top of in the last photo) down to our community. 

We are kind of on the third major headland up the Sound.

The shrouded hill is across the water from me looking back towards town.

Hills with their shoulders draped in cloud like a casually worn ermine wrap seem to be a common feature here especially on clear mornings - this sort of thing

Ermine

Speaking of ermine, I have introduced myself to the local woman who manages the bait stations and trap lines around here.  It is an initiative to try and control the numbers of introduced mammals that predate our native ground dwelling (flightless) birds and their eggs. I'm now apprenticed as second-junior-under-assistant trap-baiter.  I could even double my pay in a month if I show promise.

Twice times nothing is...🫤

(We don't have civilised past times like a bowling green or tennis courts out here and the local entertainment seems to be sea-fishing or pig-hunting. The kinds of sports that need big boats and tough dogs.  Trapping insignificant things like weasels is ..... well you finish the sentence🤔🙄)