Breaking Ground

Well Dear Reader, here is a new departure for me, writing the blog al fresco (accompanied by a cup of tea and my favourite seamstress).

Our week has been dominated by another trip south to see the breaking of the ground at our section (it still doesn’t seem quite real to me). We spent Wednesday driving down after Nicky had come back from the Doctor’s. During the night her foot had swollen up where she had been stung by a bee a few days ago, and as it was a change in the wrong direction, so she sensibly sought medical advice. She has cellulitis so the GP prescribed antibiotics, antihistamines, and keeping her foot elevated. This was primarily achieved by her doing less of the driving.

Nicky had arranged a Blessing at the site for 9.30 Thursday morning, and Lee (a lovely retired clergywoman) was already there when we arrived. After the simple but touching service, we chatted for awhile and had a good wander round the section. Lee had meet our neighbour and vendor Paul on arrival, so after she departed we sought him out too as we had not met him before. The three of us had a friendly and enjoyable chat and then parted as he had things to get on with. As we walked back along the berm to our section a lorry carrying two diggers was coming up the road - they were for us! Well, not for us to drive, but to start work on our section. Shortly afterwards Bert the builder arrived, diggers were unloaded, and clearing the section of trees began. 

Pre-diggers

We stayed and watched until lunchtime, and then went down to the Yellow House Café for celebratory Open BLAT’s, which were very good. We also bought some items from the cabinet to take along to the estate agent later in the afternoon as we had not seen Agent Felicity since completing the purchase of the section in December. When we popped into the agent’s office and give her the sticky buns, she also presented us with a gift - a Corten Steel house sign of our house number and street. It was completely unexpected and we were really touched by her thoughtfulness. On our way back to our Castlecliffe accomodation for fish pie and salad we called into a garden centre which Bert had recommended (they also have a café) for some reconnaissance.

Friday morning saw us taking a longer than expected drive up to New Plymouth to see Richard the Artist who we have commissioned to make some stained glass windows. We were eager to see his designs, and they didn’t disappoint. He showed us glass colour samples to give us a better idea of how the finished windows will look, and we are very excited about them. We hope they will give our home something special. Richard also gave us a gift, a small glass paperweight which is just lovely.

We had taken a picnic lunch with us which we ate on a nearby beach before having a sunny drive back to our accomodation, via the section. It was transformed. The trees cleared (except for the few which are staying), and the ground already being prepared for the concrete slab. We got a really good idea of where the house is going to be located and the lie of the rest of the section, though this will change as the spoil from excavating the haha is brought up. We also got to meet Paul’s wife Naomi which was good. A very eventful couple of days.

Post-diggers

We got back to Castlecliffe just in time to freshen up and walk across the road to a café which does gourmet burgers. Nicky had Moroccan lamb and I had pulled pork and we each had a glass of wine and felt it was a fitting way to end another significant week.

Each day Nicky’s foot has been improving, the effect of the drugs and elevation, but I still encouraged her to do a little less of the driving on our journey home yesterday, where temperatures peaked at 29º. We encountered some lengthy sections of road resurfacing (with chips), and got a crack in the upper right corner of the windscreen which got longer with every hour that passed. As a result, Luna is on light duties until I can get the screen replaced, hopefully on Monday.

Our week had begun with Auckland Anniversary Day, which we spent mainly just pottering round the house, doing the required chores, and enjoying the sun. We did take a late morning walk down to Craigavon Park to see the “Extravaganza”, a travelling fair of craft products, a few children’s rides, and some food vendors. It has taken place each year that we have lived here, but I had never been, so I wanted to see just how tacky it was as this will be our last chance. It was not as bad as I thought it might be, but I wasn’t induced to flush out the moths in my wallet and buy anything.

Today has been hot again. While Nicky was at church this morning, I dealt with laundry and much admin, and we have had a quiet afternoon. I did a bit of shopping up at the local supermarket, so for tea we had corn on the cob (very nice) and stuffed roasted peaches (very average - we were trying out a new recipe).

As I finish typing the sun is going behind clouds and it is getting cooler on The Rattigan. I think we will be heading inside shortly to commune with the tellybox.

Take care, Rick