First Flowers

It was bitterly cold here all day despite a few fleeting moments of sunshine. A cold wind was blowing clouds up from the south. The clouds missed us and scudded off over the coast heading to Wellington. There was heavy snow in parts of the North Island....parts which never normally see snow. I hope folk are very careful as they go out and about their daily business.
I went to the gym before dawn, walked the dog in the dark, headed for home and hunkered down.
The first of our two rhododendrons is starting to flower. The florets are not large but I love the way the buds are pink fading away to gentle pale pink and white as they open.