A damp prelude to Easter

 It has been a wet week. So much so we had to run outside on Monday afternoon to do a bit of “redirecting” of the water as it gouged trenches in our builders gravel and soil and into the wilderness. We had more very heavy rain later in the week and then when things started to get a little drier on Friday we spotted how much cleaner the sheep were looking:

As a result of the wet weather, we have had a much quieter week with staying indoors much of the time. It’s the first time since moving in that this has happened and it was really rather nice. It was good feeling cosy and safe as the weather rained down. We played lots of games and did quite a bit of cooking and watching telly programmes that we had recorded. The weather hasn’t prevented our steady trickle of visitors, Eleanor and Jack on Friday, and Louise and Steve yesterday.

Bert called on Wednesday to do lots of small jobs including fitting risers to the drains on the driveway so that they will meet the Code of Compliance requirements. This weekend I have done the painting on the wooden trim on the corners of the house to rectify one of our other failures. We don’t know what the solution to the other issue will be. Bert wants to talk to the inspector, as the specification seems to be open to interpretation.

We had an evening out at the Whanganui Science Forum on Tuesday to attend a lecture on Bridging the Awa (river). It was presented by a local lass who is an engineer and who lives here (in Castlecliffe). Karen Wrigglesworth concentrated on the four bridges at the lower section of the river (the 3rd longest in NZ), i.e.: the ones in town. It was really interesting to learn why we have the designs we have, and not others, and the history of their development and construction. This inspired us during a sunny period on Wednesday to drive down to the railway bridge (the nearest one to us) which also has a cycle path, along which we walked. We pass this bridge every time we drive into town and hardly ever see a train. During our 20-30 minute walk over the bridge and back again, two freight trains passed over the bridge. I think they knew we were there! We also leaned during the lecture that Aramoho used to have a railway station so we had a bit of an explore in the car after our walk, but couldn’t find any evidence.

Nicky paid her first visit to a House Group run by Rev. Lee Tucker-Ramage who conducted the blessing of our section. This went very well and Nicky felt comfortable and welcomed. On Thursday evening she went to the Maundy Thursday service and Stations of the Cross. On Good Friday Nicky participated in a three hour vigil. Both of these went well.

Also on Friday our neighbours from 428 called in with some eel which they had caught and smoked. Nicky didn’t fancy it but I gave it a try. It was OK, but I wouldn’t choose to have it again, though the smokiness was good.

Saturday was forecast to be dry and sunny, which it was, so Nicky did loads of laundry. I popped into town to do a bit of perishables shopping. While I was there, I collected a print which had dropped in for framing back in late February. This was quite a special event for us as we had bought the print for our new home, after we had settled on the name of our new home. It is a Michelle Bellamy whose work we were introduced to via a calendar, which Nicky bought in the BHB post shop 2 or 3 years ago. We really like her style and when I found the picture on her website I felt that it would really fit with our new home. We have put it in the entrance hall opposite the front door:

If you want to have a closer look at the picture go here:

https://www.bellamygallery.co.nz/collections/prints/products/misty-mountains-behind-the-nelson-lighthouse-150

Today has been quite sunny but cooler than yesterday. I took Nicky to church at St. Johns (Amongst-The-Roses) in Matarawa, with the original intention of having a walk on a beach while Nicky participated in the service. However, we had got our geography all wrong so I went to Lake Wiritoa instead and I discovered a water skiing completion was being held. I wouldn’t say it was one of my favourite sports and the wind was chilly so I didn’t linger. We were expecting to join other members of the congregation afterwards for lunch at The Brick House, but when we got there we discovered it was closed. When Bill the organiser arrived he said people would be going to The Rutland Arms instead, but when we got there, we found it was stuffed to the gunnels. Other parishioners had decided to head home for lunch, so we did the same. 

Lunch was mainly hot cross bunnies (tea has been more vegetable based) followed by more work on a jigsaw which we started a couple of days ago. The evening will be occupied by the telly. We are enjoying a HBO drama (The Undoing) which has six episodes being shown over three nights, concluding tonight. I just hope for an American drama that are able to write a conclusion, and not drag it out to seven 26-episode seasons!

Take care, Rick