photo : a spontaneous sculpture found on my walk on the trail, in Pohara

Ordinary news. From the 2025-26 holiday season, I remember the birdsong in Wellington and the pohutukawas covered in red flowers, all over the city, a Christmas Day that will remain marked in my memory. The weather was not particularly fine that day, but despite the wind and the slightly cold conditions, families were determined to make the most of their day: children ran on the beach and swam, parents cooked on the beach, guitars were brought out and people sang, a lovely family gathering, a visit to the Botanic Garden. December was windy and rainy, but January seems to be heading in the right direction in terms of temperature. The transition to 2026 was mild and calm; in fact, I am not entirely sure that it will be a very different year in its atmosphere, I do not feel a break, only a continuation (for better and unfortunately also for worse, in the world) of December 31st.