We’re on the Move Again.

From this….

Well it wasn’t planned to happen quite this quick but everything is falling into place. Having lived overseas for 5 years where double glazing of homes is standard we responded to an advert for free quotes with a view to getting double glazing in our home. We were not surprised at the $8000 quote for just the living area of the house. This made us think about where we go from here.

And this……

After a recent visit to Levin we were introduced to a house there that ticked all the boxes including double glazing which is now compulsory in all new buildings. It was obvious by the time we had completed an inspection of the property that this was the house for us. Only 18 months old and absolutely immaculate. No messing around , negotiations began immediately with a deal being struck within a very short space of time. At this stage our house wasn’t even on the market.

We headed home with the thought of what have we done? With a couple of appraisal’s in hand a decision was soon made to list with the local Selig’s Real Estate with whom Dot had worked for in their Upper Hutt office. Within hours of signing the listing  an agent rang us to view. A couple of hours later she rang us back (we were away at the time) requesting permission to take a client through. Not a problem, we said.

To this!

We eventually got home an hour or so later thinking the house would be clear but oops, the agent and client were still here. Jodie will eventually become our home’s new owner. We still have a few repairs to do and we don’t shift until the end of October.

Talk about life in the fast lane, it’s all happened so fast and suddenly the stress is over, thank goodness.

Going, going, Gone!

We’ll soon be moving, to warmer climates. More to come…..

Another rally weekend.

Kapiti Island from Paekakariki.

At home there is still plenty to sort out but we are gradually working through it weather permitting.This week-end was another Caravan Club rally this time at Paekakariki Holiday Park. We have not been to this camp since about 2004 so it was interesting to find out if there had been any changes.

Spring is on the way, daffodils at Paekakariki Holiday Park.

There nothing much new except for a large air filled mattress/trampoline for the kids. It’s kept inflated by a compressor and was obviously a great favourite with the kids in camp.

Jump pillow at Paekakariki Holiday Park.

After lunch on Saturday we went for a walk through the Queen Elizabeth Park down to the beach. As the weather was fine we ventured along the beach to a nearby boutique shop selling all sorts of gifts along with coffee and ice creams. After enjoying a coffee or an ice cream in the sunshine it was back to camp for tea.

Volunteer's planting out along the sand dunes at Paekakariki.We wandered along the beachfront at Paekakariki.

One surprise was a flock of Quail that reside in the park.  I had seen about 12 in the caravan storage area but that night they ventured out into the camping area and we counted 28 of them so there is a good breeding flock there.

Quail at Paekakariki Holiday Park.

Sunday and the weather turned pear shaped with more persistent rain. Normally we would have lunch before departing after a rally but today this ritual was overlooked as we all headed home early.

Gypsy Rover at Paekakariki Holiday Park.

Life down on the farm.

After four very wet days in Hastings we headed back toward home on Friday in brilliant weather.

A herd of heifers being moved on the road near Ballance. A sight not seen a lot these days.

We had been invited to call into Don and Sandra’s rural property for a couple of night’s. It’s always nice to get out on the farm for some R & R.

Feeding out time on Don's farm.In the distance the cattle are waiting patiently at the gate  to be let in.

It transpired that Don was heading away on Sunday morning to Fielding with the Vintage Machinery club, so Saturday evening we fed out some baleage (silage) ready for moving the cattle onto fresh pasture on Sunday morning. As Don wanted to be away early Sunday morning it was to be my job to feed out a couple of bales of hay and shift the cattle.

Let the herd into the feed out paddock.

Easy peasy, the only problem was having Dot with me the cattle were a bit shy of strangers and took a bit of coaxing even though they may have been hungry. They eventually plucked up the courage to move through the open gateway and were soon tucking into their favourite fodder.

Tucking into the fodder.

To Levin and on to Hastings

This week-end is the first Heretaunga Caravan Club rally since our return from our South Island tour.  It was nice to be back on the road even if it was only a short run up to Levin. We stayed at the Playford Park Camp which is under new management. There have been a few changes since our last visit some 7 or so years ago. It was good to catch up with all our friends in the club and meet 2 new members accepted into the club this week-end.

The rally was also the AGM for the club where yours truly was elected as Vice President for the next 12 months. Saturday evening we all headed off to the Cosmopolitan Club for a celebratory drink and a meal. A great time was had by all.

Sunday afternoon and it was time for everybody to head home except in our case we did a hop skip and a jump 5km further North to our friends farm at Koputuroa Rd. We had sent Don and Sandra an email to say we would be calling in but they got the dates mixed up and were surprised to see us. We only stayed overnight but still had a great time. After some sight seeing around Levin we went back to Sandra and Don’s for some lunch of rotisserie Pork and Apple sauce or Crab Apple jelly. Yummee.

After lunch we set off for our next destination of Hastings. Leaving Levin the weather was quite good but by the time we reached Shannon gale force winds had sprung up and we were blown all over the road. Dot was not a happy chappess but we just had to keep going at a greatly reduced speed. This extended our travel time by nearly an hour. These conditions lasted just about all the way to Woodville where the wind dropped but the rain kicked in. This was the scene all the way to Hastings. As the afternoon wore on the rain intensified and by early evening it was a down pour. Dot was met by her cat Simba who now lives with Richard with a big love and cheered her up immensely.

We are now parked up at Dot’s son Richard’s property on an orchard on the outskirts of Hastings.

Lazy Susan!

Recently we have been on the hunt for new (or new for us) furniture. Over the years with a growing family we had purchased veneer furniture in the past due to the fact that it was much cheaper than quality timber furniture.

Since moving back into our home we decided that this time around we would only buy good quality timber furniture.  After all there would not be another opportunity on our retirement incomes.  Our choice was New Zealand Rimu being a lovely golden coloured native timber.  Unfortunately this is now becoming  very hard to find and therefore has become very expensive.  Our option was to purchase pre loved furniture which could be restored sometime in the future if need be.

Rimu extendable round table dining suite.

We have been very lucky with our purchases and have found a lovely round Rimu dining suite in great condition.  We also fell in love with a Rimu Welsh Dresser which although several years old looks great in our dining room alongside the suite.

Welsh Dresser.

Yesterday being a totally miserable wet Sunday, we visited my Aunt and Uncle in Maungaraki for lunch. Bill although being 80 years of age is an amazing wood turner.  He does this as a hobby and had made me a Lazy Susan to place in the middle of the table.  Fantastic, I am thrilled with it.  He sourced the Rimu himself and the basic raw material looks nothing like the completed article.

Lazy Susan with lace doily under a protective piece of perspex.

Now we are in a position to entertain our friends and return the wonderful invitations we have had from them.

Don’t interrupt me!

I’m too busy working!