New Zealand is gripped by a near 100 year Antarctic weather system. It snowed in Auckland yesterday for the first time in 72 years, and much of the Central North Island is paralyzed at the moment by closed roads. Even school closings! Many generations of Kiwis have never experienced a “snow day.”

Here on Arawa Place we have had morning frosts and yesterday’s high was around 8 Celsius. At the moment it is 6 C. Brrr. But the sun came out yesterday afternoon to heat our home and our water. The wife had a long, hot shower this morning as ice covered the chooks’ water dish outside.