We 're counting: Winter back in Nelson & a few breakages

Shannon joining us in Hanmer

After returning to Nelson from Central Otago and the autumn colours, we were ready to settle in for the winter. Our Tenants had left us with quite a bit of firewood, along with what we had already cut up, plus firewood from Vicky & Trevor. We should have plenty to get through the winter.

Bill the Arborist 😄

As we still hadn't sold the rental, we didn't have the funds to start any renovations at Tahunanui Drive. So we stayed focused on the gardens recovering our view after 9 years of little trimming out the front. Bill was in his happy place, sorting through his container and shed. Well. Half a shed, as we used the other half to enlarge the sleepout for storage before we headed away. I sorted through the gear/clothes we had stored in the sleepout before bringing it back into the house.

Plenty of trimming is required

We had decluttered before leaving in 2014. Now it was time to be more ruthless.

Across the road, where once was our local social club, The Suburban Club which unfortunately got into financial difficulty, is now a fantastic Restore Store run by Habitat for Humanity. That's great for dropping off stuff and finding stuff. Its like having a haberdashery / DIY / furniture store on our doorstep. As we were unloading our extras, we picked up a bed and freezer, which we needed to host visitors. My bargain for winter was a lovely red woollen coat -$30!

Margaret & Alan & Bill at Anatori Salmon Farm

Joan home to us for lunch

Visitors over winter were cousin Kevin's Deb from Napier, and then Margaret and Alan, down from Auckland with their motorhome. We joined them for a few relaxing days over Golden Bay. Plenty of lunches with Joan once again, now we have a home we can bring her back to. A change from the Rest Home.

Late May Bill's mate Rod fell off his Bach's balcony and broke one leg and damaged the other one. Eight weeks in a boot, living in a central Nelson motel courtesy of ACC as he was unable to return home, we played a few card games / Qwerkle and took a few meals over to break the boredom and help Anne.

Charmaine's Studio - a Family package 😂

Then, at the beginning of July I stepped backwards down some steps in the carport, breaking my wrist. After a week of thinking it was sprained, I went to the Doctor. It was x-rayed! Five weeks in plaster! Bill's life changed. All housework/ my hair (he got very good at ponytails)/cooking / lawns plus all his own jobs. We had a family outing with Bill's Mum to my hairdresser. As I normally cut Bill's hair, poor Charmaine had to do mine, Joan's and Bill's. Great service Charmaine.

Mid July, we did a trip to Christchurch. Catching up with Helen and Ralph and doing a bit of shopping before picking Shannon and AC up at the airport. They flew down for Matariki and the following week, to work from home in Nelson. After lunch in Lyttleton and a bit of reminiscing Shannon's 21st and Uni days, we headed to Hanmer for the weekend. Staying in "Luxury Accommodation" that Shannon had organised, it was lovely and relaxing.

Lucky, I can still hold
a wine glass 🍷

Returning to Nelson, AC headed to Auckland after hearing of his Grandmother's passing and planned funeral. Shannon being able to work out of the Nelson Office, was able to stay on and enjoy the change of scenery from Wellington. We were able to indulge in our first born in the evenings.

Early August, it was Trevor's turn to break a limb - throwing himself over his bank (well not exactly but sounds more exciting than just falling down his bank) and ended up in two moon boots. So Bill's services were very much in demand helping three of us.

Dining room chairs needed to be reupholstered.
Small renovation job we could complete.

Winter passed quickly with gardening/walks/ bikes rides (before breaking my wrist)/ Nelson's new EBus's (fantastic and free with our Gold Cards). We had a couple of days away over Golden Bay - Ligar Bay at Rod and Anne's Bach. Checking camera batteries and mouse traps. A nice change of scenery for us. Bill also had a bit of maintenance to do on the Bus (rust in the door) and his Ute after it failed its WOF with a bit of panel/rust work too.

Evenings he got on and scanned his Family's childhood slides. Then started on our many photo albums. Lots of memories. Plenty to keep him out of trouble over the winter. I found plenty of books down at Restore to keep me entertained.

Our beautiful view recovered and cool to look at ⛄

Late August my wrist was recovering well but my arm was painfully aching, particularly in bed. I even started sleeping sitting up. My lovely physio Suze (our neighbour at Tosswill Rd) sent a referral to the hospital after a scan showed a tear in the rotator cuff of my shoulder. I had a cortisone injection from my Doctor to stop the pain - how wonderful that was. Long may it last. And as a result of seeing the Surgeon, I now have an operation approved by ACC sometime I feel the need in the next 10 years! Wow! Hopefully the cortisone and exercises to build up other muscles, keep the pain away as the operation can take up to 12 months to recover!

Ophelia's 1st birthday 💕

Our Granddaughter turned one early September and had just started walking a few weeks earlier. A party at her home was organised with other Family & Friends. Technology has been fantastic to allow us to keep up with all Ophelia's changes, and do a weekly chat with her (well her parents really). Can't wait to see her at Christmas.