Saturday & Sunday 4th/5th October
A social weekend with Vicki & Trevor down for the weekend from Nelson. Had bike ride out to
Spencer Park, a 7km ride along a coast trail heading north. This is obviously a popular park
with lots families, and activities. Including the Adrenaline Forest where there were high wire
activities. Not for those scared of heights! (Me)
My brother Allan was in town for the weekend with his partner Nicky, whom we met in town
at a little Craft Beer Bar in quaint New Regent Street which appears to have survived the
earthquakes, but surrounded by empty lots and rebuilds. But with the sun shining, Christchurch
does have a positive feel about it.
We then went on to dinner at other ex Nelson friends who moved to Christchurch years ago. All
of us use to camp together when our children were growing up, so it's lovely catching up and
seeing where they are all up to. Marg put on a lovely meal for the four of us and we had a good
catch up. Arrangements were made for the next day that Sheryl later stuffed up!
Sunday was another lovely day to get out and do a walk after a cooked breakfast, just like
camping days of old. A fairly relaxed day with taking another day off the renovations. Bill hadn't
had much time out, unlike myself swanning off to Wellington the weekend before. So didn't
hurt him to have a few extra beers. Even had time to do a bit of reading in the sun. Then as
the afternoon was nearing its end & a bottle of wine almost finished, we started to wonder why
Marg hadn't turned up !! Then the loose arrangements of the night before came slowly out of the
memory bank - poor Marg was waiting for me to ring when to catch up! Thankfully she is a very
forgiving friend and did turn up once I rang to see where she was. Another good social night
was had.

Friday 3rd October
T day today.
With the impending arrival of visitors for the weekend, pressure was on Bill to finish the toilet
off. The floor was completed, now the tiles up the sides needed grouting before the toilet bowl
installed (and one can't have visitors without a toilet). Although we did entertain Helen & Ralph
for lunch. Luckily they didn't need any facilities. And they kindly took their tree home again for
storage!
I went to Bunnings and ordered wooden blinds for bathroom / toilet/kitchen & laundry after doing
the homework and filling in the form. But then! I was given more information and had to return
home for re assessment of our choices. Not before queuing at the counter for Bill's tube of
silicon, and once I got served, realising I had no money on me!
Day moved on at an accelerated speed, but Bill just had the new toilet installed as our visitors
arrived. AND it was needed immediately wasn't it Vicki:-)

Sunday 28th September
I've had a lovely weekend in Wellington, catching up first with my cousin Sandra in Otaki, then
with Shannon, Nick & Jacky and two nieces in law (Nicki & Marta). And even Rocky via Skype.
Shannon had shouted me to WOW which once again was really WOW! Amazing the talent
that is out there and how it is brought together with dance. Weather could have been better but
company more than made up for it. Thank you Shannon for your wonderful hospitality.
Poor Bill was left home alone but coped well...........
Bill had the first shower in the new bathroom, which functioned perfectly. The shower in the bus
works well but you are limited in that there is only a small water cylinder, so showers are kept
short. Now with the completion of the renovated bathroom, we can have nice long showers:-P