Linda Hall: Left in dark as storms hit home

Linda Hall.

There's something to be said for a wet, cold, stormy weekend. Especially if you have a roaring fire.

We haven't had many stay-at-home weekends this winter but this last one made up for that.

It had it all - wind, rain (torrential at times), snow, freezing cold temperatures and power cuts.

It really was a case of not realising just how much one relies on something until it's gone.

I got up in the early hours of Saturday and thought to myself, "Crikey, it's dark."

I had heard the rain and wind lashing at the windows during the night. I got to the hallway and flicked the light switch. Nothing. I thought I must have turned the outside light on instead so I flicked it off and flicked the other switch. Nothing.

I continued along the hallway with one hand on the wall.

You would think that I could find my way around my own home in the dark but because it was just so pitch black I became disoriented.

There was no moonlight or anything. It was as if I had my eyes shut. In the end I had to call out to Mr Neat to come and get me. My excuse was that I was still half asleep. I won't repeat what he said.

That power cut wasn't so bad for us lucky people snuggled up in our beds.

I really take my hat off to the Unison linesmen who worked through the freezing cold and blizzard-like conditions to restore power for breakfast.

I had a feeling it wouldn't last though, as the wind and rain battered the Bay, and sure enough by mid morning it was out again. We were one of the lucky ones who had power restored just after noon.

Others were not so lucky. A family member whose house is heated by electricity came and borrowed a gas heater from us. Their power didn't return until 6pm.

I have to admit we were unprepared. We had one silly little torch that was next to useless. We now have a decent one. But it did make me think about how we would cope if the power was off for 24 hours.

Imagine the teenagers, they wouldn't be able to charge their phones.

It was a bit of a wake-up call really and I will be stocking up on batteries, candles and food that doesn't have to be heated like cheese, crackers, biscuits - yah, bring on the next power cut.

There were some funny moments such as the story about the Petone Winter Carnival. They had to cancel their Polar Plunge because ... wait for it ... it was too cold - brilliant.

Right, that's enough about the weather - let's talk about microchipping cats now.

Wellington City councillors have voted to make it compulsory to microchip cats. I really don't see any point to this. They say it's for the welfare of the cat so if it's lost or hurt it can be returned to the owner.

That may be so, but the things people complain about the most about cats is that they kill birds and do their business in neighbours' gardens. Microchipping is not going to stop that.

Cat owners will have to fork out about $60 per cat, plus the cost of the vet visit.

You can guarantee there will be hundreds who won't bother and I can't say I blame them.

- Linda Hall is assistant editor of Hawke's Bay Today.