Weekly update

In the driveway

From front garden

Cold, cold cold, but the tulips are in full bloom having survived strong winds and heavy rain over the last few days. The sun is out today but just look at the mountains!! Spectacular. Hope this is the last dump for the year.We have certainly had some violent weather over the last week. A huge low pressure system which just kept on coming. We escaped most of the damaging stuff but flooding, gale force winds, and snow blocked roads were all within a couple of hours drive from us. A busy weekend just gone with dinner for eight on Friday a birthday afternoon tea, which went on to become dinner as well Saturday, and dinner with friends Sunday. Monday out again with Lauren to see a cooking show put on by the schools PTA. Interesting lady with a good story to tell as well as yummy brownie recipe, amongst others. She has a web site, destitutegourmet.com. Tuesday, yes out again, this time to hear our local councillors selling their wares prior to our local body elections.Never been to one before and found it quite interesting, and at times entertaining! Not sure that I am any better prepared to make an informed voting decision! As with most local government bodies the issues are waste disposal, potable water, rates, how to generate more income, the high cost of compliance and environmental stuff. I am amazed that anyone is prepared to get involved with the flak they get. (Lindsay is still involved Andrea)
Counting down to the weekend when we have Hannah's 4th birthday, which although it is Monday, we will celebrate with family on Saturday. Then off in caravan heading to New Plymouth. Oh, and Avril finishes the term and has two weeks holiday. She can't wait!! The guy is coming tomorrow to check the van and give us a self containment certificate which you need here if you want to freedom camp, or stay at some low cost sites.
Bedroom decorating is proceeding slowly, have fine cracks in plaster ceiling in the room I am doing so have to get fibrous plasterer to check out before I paint. I think the ceiling is not securely attached to the roof joists causing movement and may need some work to secure. Nothing is ever easy (as David and Thelma have found out)