Christchurch Friday

We finally left Nelson. What an effort, it seemed to get bigger & bigger as the deadline approached. We went over the planned date by a day and a half. It wouldn't have overly mattered however Sheryl did need to get to learn her new job today.

Marfells Encampment

It was a mission but we left the house shiny and clean, looked so good wondered what we were doing. Got away from Nelson about 4 on Wednesday and got as far as Marfells beach,on dark.

Sheryl driving van and trailer, me in BigYella. I followed Sheryl, Blenheim is constructing new roundabouts and the associated road works are causing some rough roads, never the less it did afford me a good view of the underside of the trailer as Sheryl had both wheels clear of the ground, thankfully the load was well stropped down.

Thursday saw us lunching at Kaikoura with a small bike ride and then to Christchurch. Again just before ChCh Sheryl demonstrated her contempt for my little trailer and had a tyre blow out at full speed. She pulled over pretty quick, and yes it was well shredded

So with the spare fitted it was on to the village of Irwell to park over on our hosts for 2 nights, Peter & Sue. An impromptu shared meal was had and Peter gave us an insight into the Earthquake Fallout which we were not well informed on.It has been a huge blow to the Region and will continue to be for some time.Peters story did fill us with some hope and the resilience is to be admired.

Peter & Sues View from Carpark

We have awoken this morning to the sun filtering thru the mist, I have urged Sheryl on to work to learn her new job, as I now dutifully peck this narrative out, contemplating my busy schedule.
Tonight will see us sharing a pub meal with our hosts (they're off to Hawai tomorrow,(Sheryl is taxi-ing them out.Its Sue's job she is doing)
Saturday should see us catching up with Helen & Ralph. to be continued..........

1Week to go. I've stopped work to focus on the final few things,Fence was done today and window sills started.Going to do gobi blocks on lawn tomorrow with John from the Leaf company. A last minute project as the lawn has got worse each winter where I park the van.
The tenants Kevin & Merryl came round today for a heads up on the quirks of the property.They are keen & I am sure the place is in good hands. Think Kevin is keen to connect a sound system to my speakers round the house. Bet he plays somerthing better than National Radio round the neighbour hood I can hear you all thinking.Funnily enough un beknownst to me I did a job at Kevins flat last week whilst he was there and discussed their new kitten trying to do a runner. Wasn't until he put my number into his phone yesterday he realised that we had previously been in contact & joined the dots. Its a small village.
Sheryl's still working till Friday and then going across to Riwaka to keep Kate company looking after Lilly whilst Simon & Niki from the Hop Federation clean up at the Beer Awards in Wellington over the next few days. We wish them every success.

Nearly There

We seem to have most things stored away now with room to go, but i expect as we start shoe horning the last of it in it, things will start to bulge. I cleaned more valuable things out of the container over the weekend and found lotsa ants. I'm hitting every thing hard with a pyrethrum insect killer and will flood container with that once its packed. Reallly hope that will control them. The garage is packed solid and still have access to down the sides to my work bench etc, so has worked out well.

The garage sale went well, got  rid of a lot of things that were good to have had, but not needed.Thanks to Mum & Alan for helping out, it was a busy few hours.
 Will undoubtedly need to replace some of it when we get  back, if we get back........ Though it will be more a matter of accruing stuff again. I don't know whether you actually go looking for a lot of these things, it comes to you..There's still the odd thing on trade me to sell but we now have possessions down to a level that we can probably store them in our container and shed.

We put the CRV down the drive for sale on Sunday and was sold in 3 hours, always a worry when that happens!! Was it too cheap, did we get lucky?? Any way it needed new sway bar bushes and is booked in for Thurs so will keep it to the weekend, then Warwick our friendly NZ Rentacar man will help us out for the last 9 days.Caught up with W last week at 623 (local eatery) after his trip to UK and bits of Europe with Ros for 8 weeks or so.Sounded busy but enjoyed.
Still have fence to do, some rats and mice and Alan's sink bench before we can go but will be manageable.
Sheryls boss Brodie is turning up on Saturday to help with the rest of the big stuff, fridge ,wall unit, lounge suite etc. Next week will be mostly at home sorting the last minute things out, I know there is a window sill to paint on  the laundry..

Alan helping out

Things are progressing, We are still in the house &  it is looking  like a bomb site with one room full of garage sale items and other rooms in disarray as we try to clear the detritus of 27 years. Sheryl is methodically working away while I sit watching telly!! In my dreams. Sheryl has given me a toothbrush and started me sweeping the new  drive. It looks fantastic.

Great place for a garage sale.

I recall S saying when we first arrived she wasn't pushing any more prams up that goat track. Well a bit late but it kept her in shape.
The apartment now has a functioning kitchen, yet to be christened, and the washing machine is located adjacent to the shower. It works well.
Rowdy(the cat) is now ensconced in Riwaka with Lily, Nicki & Simon. There are no distressing reports and is eating and shiting normally, so all is good.
The garage sale is on Saturday and have we got stuff to sell ,give and thrust upon people. Its all gotta go and if it doesn't it's off to the recycling center. A bit of stuff has been sold on Trade Me as well, so things are starting to look sparse.
We have some tenants signed up for a year, young couple,which is good, and move in as we move out.
Work is still cracking along. Finished my last bathroom today and will be involved mainly with rats and mice over the next two weeks with some of that here, I still have a fence to rebuild by the garage.