Nelson -Tosswill Road Rental Renovations and Covid 19 - Level 3 - 16 Days

Another stunning day in Nelson

Bill's new toy - a gib lifter

 First day at Level 3 was full on for the Tylers - Bill trying to log in online desperate for building materials to Mitre 10 and Bunnings. Both web sites not use to such heavy traffic of course and trying to come up to speed with "Click and Collect" - they weren't quite ready for the rush obviously. Poor Bill was pulling his hair out by the end of the day!
Thankfully the whole day wasn't wasted, he did manage to get a load of green waste away and picked his mum(Joan) up and bring her back for lunch. Bill's family had decided we were the best option to extend our Bubble with her (they were all heading back to work, therefore coming in contact with more people than Bill & I would) now with the lowering of the level. To give her a change of scenery she was to come to us once a week for a meal and we would go out to her for "happy hour" on a Friday.
The next day was just as frustrating for Bill. still trying to log into the building supply companies. He did manage to get an account set up with Mitre 10, thankfully the person in Accounts was a friend so it made it a bit easier (great to be in a small town).

The trusty Ute laden with bathroom goodies 👍

Finally day 3 of Level 3 things started to come together, where Bill got an order into Bunnings for a "click and collect" in two days time, and a truck load of materials from Mitre 10 in a weeks time. Phew! Time to start building.
It was easy to click and collect at some other suppliers ( I think Bunnings/Mitre 10 were behind the 8 ball with their web sites. Should have been operating better after over a month at Level 4) so Bill managed to get a new toy from the Tool Shed - a Gib Lifter. Takes the pressure off returning the one we may have had a slim chance of getting from Mitre 10 - and with replacing all the ceilings and a few walls, I'm sure it will be worth the investment.
Queues at supermarkets are still pretty long but do operate efficiently where I go, so it's not too much of an issue once a week. The shelves have pretty much returned to normal. Except pepper corns! Who knew they mainly came from India!! With so much home cooking, the shelves were cleared of them. Hopefully next week.

The Tyler Fleet on the Street 😆

So with sidekick Tyler (ex neighbours son who unfortunately is no longer working for Air NZ) - is available for odd jobs and has the build to help with all the lifting of supplies, which is a great help. Not sure what he thinks of the "Life's" lectures Bill likes to share with him, but he keeps returning so they can't be too bad. or perhaps he's just desperate for the money 😉.
A pallet load of bathroom materials arrived in Nelson from the Trade Depot in Christchurch, so we were finally able to pick them up - Bill with his trusty Ute went and picked up the pellet load. It was like Christmas - new shower, heated towel rails, vanities and tops. Exciting 👏
And then we got a surprise package from Shannon - a box of avocados from Tauranga - her way of supporting small business in these trying times. They were delicious😋and a lovely surprise.

Exciting times with  the hiab delivery 🎄 

Hiab saving a lot of lifting for Bill & Tyler

 Then we supported Briscoes (not really small business but local!) with "click and collect" and for a $5 delivery, had another package arrive. A small, very efficient bench top oven. Watch out Bill - be ready for some amazing meals now. I always knew it was the oven's fault! But I won't feed you too much - you still have to be able to fit under the floor! 😉
It was also around this time we were struggling with the amount of data we were getting through daily now we were based in one location and sorting so much with the renovations that it was finally time to give in to getting a modem and broadband. So we feel like we are in the real world once again. No longer trying to eke out 1GB each on our phone plans for the month. Ahhhh the pressure. Once again, click and deliver this time. The Courier Drivers are amazing, and even more so in these strange times.
Then the hiab truck loaded with materials arrived after a bit of a mission getting up our driveway. The drive has quite a steep approach from the road, we had fun the first time up with the Bus. We had taken the Bus out the day before to keep it clear for the delivery truck. It was a good chance to empty our tanks too out in Richmond. We decided to do our daily walk out there instead of locally here, nice for a change and another stunning day. Getting cooler but with no wind, the days are beautiful crisp autumn ones.

First bedroom ceiling replaced 

Job complete! Watched the progress of this Guy's project

At this point we decided it was time to move completely into the house - we had been only using the kitchen/dining and bathroom, but still sleeping in the Bus. With the cooler nights, it was time to make up the spare bed we had brought up from the sleepout. Quite cosy.
So the ramps Bill had made to help get the Bus in and out of the driveway were now used for the hiab truck after he came to a grinding halt and blocked the road. Thankfully they worked and took the weight. The hiab truck was needed to get all the materials off the truck and up to the second level of the house rather than Bill & Tyler lugging it all up around the house. Completed effortlessly.
So life was starting to return to some normality (well as normal as can be with a pandemic! and living in the midst of renovations) and Bill a happy chappy once again. With the dumping of 4 loads of green waste and one of rubbish, materials arriving, it felt like things were finally moving ahead.
Day 13 of Level 3 was Mothers Day and we managed another Zoom session with the kids. Bill brought Joan around for dinner and to join in. I think she was a little overwhelmed by it all but enjoyed seeing the Grandchildren and Partners. I loved it of course. And finally after 6 weeks, the

Another challenge for Bill 😟

Aussies got their Easter Eggs! And toilet paper!! At the time I posted their Easter parcels, just before lock down, Australia had a toilet paper shortage so I sent some with their Easter Eggs. Well 6 weeks later and toilet paper no longer in short supply, the joke was a bit wasted! And now with Em enjoying eating chocolate ( she is Vegan) Nick had to share his small supply of Easter eggs as I sent her a little book! ha ha. These are weird times we live in!

 New Zealand's Dynamic Duo
(By our neighbourhood knitter)

We're continuing our morning walks first thing, it's a bit cool to start work so our walks warm us up.With getting rid of waste from around the property, we can see what we can do with the garden, except I have to wait till Level 2 to get out to the Nursery's. But there is still plenty to chop back to keep me out of trouble. Plus the stripping of walls of course, but Bill has already removed most of the painted wallpaper thankfully. I have the better job of washing walls and removing the remaining paper. But while the weather is great, I prefer staying outside except to come in to cook meals.
Roll on Level 2 so the Plumber, Electrician and Double Glazing Guys can come and see us. And I can get out and get some plants to fill in all the open spaces and give the neighbours some privacy back.

Bill making progress with the Toitoi

Delicious pizza from the new oven