Cabin fever

In their short lives Fortnum and Mason have only really known hot sunny days. Of course it has rained and it's been often enough to know that they don't like it much.

This week the weather has broken and it's been cold, wet and miserable. The southerly has brought a stiff, cold brrrrreeze to Kaitoke. The temperature has dropped around 10 degrees which is shock to the system I can tell you.

The bassets hate it too. On the occasions that I've put them in their playpen they've retreated to their dog house to play and snooze. As I have a heart I've also had them in the kitchen area to play which is OK until they start fighting over toys and chews when they are then banished to their bedroom (aka laundry) where they have taken to shredding newspaper or in Fortnum's case, destroying the stuffing in his bed. I'm putting this annoying and less than charming behaviour down to cabin fever which they seem to get when it rains and they can't be running around outside.

Whilst we expect rain and we need it for the water tank and garden I really really wish it hadn't come this week. My friend Sarah has arrived from the UK for her visit and it's just not fair that she has to endure the mist, rain and chill. Thank goodness for the central heating so we've been able to keep warm. Fingers crossed that the weather will improve before she heads off on her 5 day tramp of the Milford Track.