Burnt Hill from the South

Foreshortening in this photo is deceptive. Just beyond the grass is the Waimakariri River, deep down between its two bluffs. The riverbed at this point is about two kilometres wide. The first line of dark trees is the other side.

The hill rises to 368 metres. Another view of the hill from the Waimakariri Gorge.

Best seen large

My little cat has been injured again, this time it is the other front paw. Once again the vet says she has been bitten, not necessarily by another cat.

Last night my son disturbed a possum in the cabbage tree next to the house. This could explain the cat's injuries and the random acts of vandalism in my vegetable garden. It could also explain why so few of the birds are managing to raise families this season. There has been only one batch of starlings raised compared with last season's seven families.

The way to deal with possums is with a trap or a strong light and a rifle, none of which we have.