What an amazing year we have had when we reflect on what we have done and where we have been. We wonder what 2014 will bring.
Our year started with the major renovation work on No 41 Rakiura
Parade in Otatara.
This was followed by a trip to Geraldine to help out my Mum and Dad while Mum recuperated after some elective surgery. Next we managed a bit of a road to trip that took us to Christchurch, the Coast and up as far as Murchison. Two weddings were next followed by another trip to Geraldine to help Dad celebrate his 90th birthday.
Invercargill beckoned again as we had a change of tenant in our own house in Otatara. This would have had to been the easiest turn around of tenants we have ever had. Craig and Jay left the place in an immaculate condition with only a window sill in the garage needing a wipe.
A catch up with Leigh was had in Invercargill as he was working as part of the crew with Stage Challenge (they tour the country working with young people in the theatre.)
Back to Clyde for a rest and regroup before we headed off to Australia at the end of June for two months. Our trip to the Blue Mountains was a real highlight and a thank you to Rob and Helen for letting us stay in their holiday house. We were welcomed into the Medlow Bath community and made lots of new friends. It is a great place for a holiday if you like the outdoors and especially walking.
Since then our base has been Clyde. It has been nice to spend some extended time here completing some of those jobs on the never ending list of things we want done. We have also managed to plant a garden and are now reaping the rewards of our efforts with fresh vegetables.
October saw another trip to Christchurch to yet another wedding (how many in 12 months I ask - 5!!) some 4WD trips, some maintenance work in the form of sprucing up the bathroom in our TeAnau rental and then down to Invercargill again for the official opening of the Nature Centre at the Community Nursery.
News and Events at the Community Nursery
Another diversion was next for me. This time to return to Geraldine to help Mum and Dad again while Mum recuperated. This time after a heart attack and two stents being put in. All three of their daughters took time to come and help and Dad now knows why he has three daughters!!!!
Late November sees me back in Invercargill to help with the hireage of the Federation of Graduate Women's academic dress. Most of the High Schools in and around Invercargill hire it for their staff to wear at their prize givings. It is quite a big job but well worth it for the funds that are raised for scholarships for women in education.
Our two final activities for the year have been to prepare our 'flat' for holiday accommodation over the Christmas/New Year period. We advertised it on Holiday Houses Sunny Clyde Holiday Retreat and the site has worked very well for us. We were very pleased with how it looks and in fact I wouldn't mind a holiday there myself!!!!
Now we are camping at the Clyde Holiday Camp. This is no holiday though. We are in our first paid jobs for over 18 months, working mostly as cleaners with some office work as well. So far we are enjoying the experience though Stephen is not so good on the 6:30am starts. He really isn't a morning person but I love that hour of the day.
So here we are at the end of the year looking forward to the new one. Our evening will be a quite one (we hope) as we still have to rise before 6:30 to do our cleaning.
Happy New Year.
Our year started with the major renovation work on No 41 Rakiura
Parade in Otatara.
This was followed by a trip to Geraldine to help out my Mum and Dad while Mum recuperated after some elective surgery. Next we managed a bit of a road to trip that took us to Christchurch, the Coast and up as far as Murchison. Two weddings were next followed by another trip to Geraldine to help Dad celebrate his 90th birthday.
Invercargill beckoned again as we had a change of tenant in our own house in Otatara. This would have had to been the easiest turn around of tenants we have ever had. Craig and Jay left the place in an immaculate condition with only a window sill in the garage needing a wipe.
A catch up with Leigh was had in Invercargill as he was working as part of the crew with Stage Challenge (they tour the country working with young people in the theatre.)
Back to Clyde for a rest and regroup before we headed off to Australia at the end of June for two months. Our trip to the Blue Mountains was a real highlight and a thank you to Rob and Helen for letting us stay in their holiday house. We were welcomed into the Medlow Bath community and made lots of new friends. It is a great place for a holiday if you like the outdoors and especially walking.
Since then our base has been Clyde. It has been nice to spend some extended time here completing some of those jobs on the never ending list of things we want done. We have also managed to plant a garden and are now reaping the rewards of our efforts with fresh vegetables.
October saw another trip to Christchurch to yet another wedding (how many in 12 months I ask - 5!!) some 4WD trips, some maintenance work in the form of sprucing up the bathroom in our TeAnau rental and then down to Invercargill again for the official opening of the Nature Centre at the Community Nursery.
News and Events at the Community Nursery
Another diversion was next for me. This time to return to Geraldine to help Mum and Dad again while Mum recuperated. This time after a heart attack and two stents being put in. All three of their daughters took time to come and help and Dad now knows why he has three daughters!!!!
Late November sees me back in Invercargill to help with the hireage of the Federation of Graduate Women's academic dress. Most of the High Schools in and around Invercargill hire it for their staff to wear at their prize givings. It is quite a big job but well worth it for the funds that are raised for scholarships for women in education.
Our two final activities for the year have been to prepare our 'flat' for holiday accommodation over the Christmas/New Year period. We advertised it on Holiday Houses Sunny Clyde Holiday Retreat and the site has worked very well for us. We were very pleased with how it looks and in fact I wouldn't mind a holiday there myself!!!!
Now we are camping at the Clyde Holiday Camp. This is no holiday though. We are in our first paid jobs for over 18 months, working mostly as cleaners with some office work as well. So far we are enjoying the experience though Stephen is not so good on the 6:30am starts. He really isn't a morning person but I love that hour of the day.So here we are at the end of the year looking forward to the new one. Our evening will be a quite one (we hope) as we still have to rise before 6:30 to do our cleaning.
Happy New Year.
