Lightning

This post that covers last night and today. Last night, quite late (9:30) an electrical storm like no other hit Ashburton. Places south of here had a much earlier experience – Dunedin had huge hail stones.

We were preparing for bed when the first thunder booms occurred, and they were accompanied by sheet lightning. I got up from the bed and stood for 20 minutes just watching the show.
I got to the stage when I wondered if I could get a photo. Having not photographed lightning before I had no idea what settings to use. So, setting a high ISO and as fast speed as possible I set the camera on the tripod.
And it was then that I realised a fast reaction trigger finger was required.
In short there was very little fork lightning and what I saw was mostly horizontal – but mostly sheet lightning.

However I have one average shot that I plan to use for this week’s challenge “Nature”

Today Robyn and I drove through to Christchurch for Lorraine’s open casket. We got there at around 10:00. Andrew was doing the morning 2 hours and Jamie the afternoon. Along with Andrew was Hadley, Jasper, Ruby, Kat and a friend Zane.
We thought presentation was so well done - for Lorraine’s family the best farewell – the last time they saw her would have been stressful.

She looked so at peace dressed in familiar clothes. She is lying in a wool casket which would be in keeping with her beliefs and style. There was Jazz and Blues music playing quietly and we all talked about Lorraine and other stories – it was a special time.

After about 90 minutes we left and suggested to Hadley and Andrew (who were the last to leave with us) to have lunch and Andrew remembered a sandwich café nearby so the four of us had freshly made sandwiches and coffee.
After they left Robyn and I thought we would have a walk around the city – after some misstarts on directions, we went looking for a park and tried a car park building – we made our way up 3 stories and then saw a sign that said all above floors were reserved. So out we went.
We headed in the direction of Hagley Park – no parking anywhere – so that was it “lets just go home” And we did.

We may try the city thing again on Monday or Tuesday.Read more