Open2View

 

 

 

 

The Garden..

This is the first week this summer I’ve felt on holiday with our temporary home well and truly complete: I’ve experienced loads of sun, 30 degree temperatures in the shade, laziness, boredom and fluffing around totally without purpose (OMG!).  I’ve stood around with my horses so they could put their heads in my arms and go to sleep (loads of flies so they like my protection), I’ve gone for aimless little paddock walks to check out the state of the horse poo (it’s like they’re eating hay, phew), I’ve spent hours trying to save my lettuce seedlings and newly emerging seeds from the outrageous 30 degrees in the shade heat… These times bring me back to my childhood in many ways, we’ve even gone raspberry picking and made jam and pigged out on ridiculously cheap juicy nectarines bought from a little stall just down the road.  Hanna’s spent heaps of time rereading books on her bed, while Kasper sits in his treehut (it’s nice and cool up there) and dreams up new contraptions and water systems.  Busy as a bee is the little man.  He doesn’t even want to go to the store for an ice-cream.





Steve’s been back at work this week. Because of normal routine again I’m feeling really tired, delayed reaction I think.  I’m contemplating my new ‘to do’ list now that the old one is done.  My short term mission is to arrange solar powered rural (satellite) broadband, a web phone and a CRT (rural co-op) account.  Not having an internet connection at home is like wading through treacle and it is the one thing that continually stresses me out and has made my blood boil in a powerless rage on several occasions (when the Telecom 3G network and my t-stick let me down once again).  Somehow it is possible to go through $60 worth of internet simply by downloading a CRT application form, 10 emails and 2 web pages.  It is so frustrating and upsetting, you just feel robbed (yes Jason, you told me J)!

But the living is rather idyllic really.  Steve’s parents have been to visit which was a lovely opportunity to be a bit of a tourist, and we’re starting to have some time to socialise which is rather novel and very welcome.  It’s funny, now that I’m here, how all the old memories come back, who’s who and what’s what.  Everybody from my Christchurch life 10 years ago are all grown up with kids etc, but they’re still here.  And you talk to one person and that piece of the puzzle is remembered, and that then leads you to being able to put the next pieces together, and suddenly it’s a whole picture again!  Like slipping back into your very favourite old jersey and slippers that you found in a box you’d forgotten about. 

Lego heaven...

Canterbury is certainly very different from Wellington.  Rural Council services seem very thin on the ground for instance, I guess it’s a big area with limited funds.  For example, it looks like we’re going to have to travel 30 kms to get rid of our rubbish and recycling!  Despite their being several townships much closer, they just don’t have public recycling stations you can drop your stuff off to and being rural our bins don’t get collected because we’re not on the main drag.  Also we are responsible for the upkeep of our road despite it being a paper road and being used by the public quite a lot.  I also find people reserved and a bit cool generally (e.g. the trades people turning up or when you deal with people in shops etc).   Maybe people are all incredibly rattled and stressed underneath it all.  I suspect so. 

I’ve had a lot of different offers of paid work by various companies and people.  I’m mulling that one over a bit.  It becomes a lot more meaningful when it translates into payments for a horse float or truck, I must say!  On that front I’ve not earnestly started looking for a pony for Hanna.  Long overdue, major mother's guilt over promises made two years ago now.

Our hay has finally started being cut but of course, being so long and thick the tractor broke a universal joint ¾ of the way through.  At least the building site is cut now so work can progress.  The Totalspan shed has been started.  The concrete gets poured on Friday!  I will leave you with a few “Open2View” photos of our new home. 

Spacious bedrooms...



Toilet and laundry

 





Beauty is in the eye of the beholder



Shower







Kitchen sink