Sunday 7^th September

An R&R day and a beaut day to go with it. We started with a long bike ride along Brighton beach from the Pier down to the Sumner end (about 6 kms) then back along the roads. A round trip of 16km which wasn’t too much of a challenge. There is a lot of biking opportunities around ChCh, hopefully will be able to do many more as weather permits. Talking of which, the weather hasn’t been bad at all since our arrival, just a persistent thin wind from the sea, which keeps you cool.

We did a quick hour of work then went over to Elevate, a little bar at the bottom of the Cashmere Hills to spend a relaxing 2 hours with Helen, in the sun drinking good craft beer (Black Dog – cos you aren’t in there yet Simon & Nicki) listening to a pleasant woman on the piano covering all the classics that we enjoy, Ralph was otherwise engaged playing his jazz in a resort out Methven way, too far away and upmarket for us. We then progressed up the hill to spend the evening with the whole Woodham family where I was awarded honorary fatherhood to the Woodham clan and partook in a Father’s Day Meal of Pizzas and wine. Thank you Little Woodys and partners I hope you enjoy your Xmas Presents.

Saturday 6^th September

After lovely bacon & eggs for breakfast, we went to the refuse station today, had the old bathroom and some old bricks etc. from around the section. Told Sheryl how the system was good as you paid on weight. Well got rid of it all down the chute and was re weighed, had 20 bucks in my hand and the girl was counting out figures and I thought.. oh that’s gross weight, and she doing the sums but no she was reading out the price..  one oh  seven point two oh cents,...... sorry what did you say  ??? then with a smile, “one hundred and seven dollars twenty cents please.”

Holy shit....... we’re walking down the beach every night now with our pockets full and carefully emptying them of the rubbish....You’ve all seen the movie.

Thankfully we didn’t have to buy lunch as Helen & Ralph arrived with refreshments. We had another walk around the area with H&R before they headed off and then we carried on with gardening & plastering of walls.

Friday 5^th September

Caught up with the Belliss Family  (Ex Nelsonians) tonight with others to bid their son Cameron’s farewell as he is heading off to Greece & Italy for the next 18 months on an Engineering scholarship – fantastic opportunity for him to study earthquake protection in buildings. Was lovely catching up with the girls too (who are of course now young women) and their lives. We all get busy with life but it is great that good friends just pick up from where they last leave off J

Wednesday 3^rd September

 Been to two recyclers down here looking for bits and pieces, one in particular, “Musgroves” just stock everywhere and tons of staff, things very orderly and all catalogued (probably cause it all goes on Trade Me) One girl in the office I was talking to, I asked her whether they would be interested in my old bath & vanity and said “yes but not to pay, we get all this stuff for  free.” And believe me there is a lot of stuff at these places.

 Needed to hire a concrete cutter for 4 hours and had a discount voucher as the the Auckland firm that has just bought the local hire depot is drumming up business, didn’t honour the voucher as “you are already getting a discount” well you didn’t tell me that initially ,well it’s a discounted price and we don’t give discount on a discounted price, that’s a $100 bucks thank you.   Ka ..ching

I think Insurers & EQC are paying for most things and everyone is in for the ka...ching.

I’m not sure but think there is some regional pricing going on even with the big format stores. Think my usual suppliers are jacking prices up as well.....Haven’t got the evidence yet, but might leak it to Cameron Slater....

 Had first BBQ in Christchurch tonight – bit of a cool breeze to cook outside so Bill came up with alternative place to cook – as you can see by the photo.