21 August 2011
The predicted cold spell turned up, and we even had some snow, admittedly only for about 30 seconds.

If you can't see it, I don't blame you. it was very brief. We even had snow in Auckland for the first time since 1939.

In this last week, we spent three days helping our friends move. It involved clearing surplus stuff out of his garage, and generally being a nuisance. That meant we didn't get much done.

At least, we managed to finish the work on the cookhouse / gardener's cottage. I even put lining in, using the cheapest hardboard. This picture shows the door in the dividing wall, and to the left the surviving cladding and below that the hardboard.

On Saturday we moved all of the tools that occupied the space in the original lounge (number 7 on the plan) into the shed. Then we stripped the room of sarking (hessian) and wallpaper. After a good sweep, we moved a double bed in there. Now we can receive sleepover guests. All welcome!!

We have just finished that, and was still sitting on the bed, when we had a knock on the door. "Tell us what work is your highest priority, we have come to help" Dear friends gave us their afternoon. Some cleared the grass under the deck, or where the deck is supposed to be. Others helped me cutting up the tree that blew over before we moved in. At the end of the day the whole tree was cut up for firewood, and the grass was cleared. Thank you very much. We are no drinkers, and we had no beer, but we had a nice barbie with boerewors & pap. A very enjoyable afternoon.

On Friday I created a small pen for three sheep we will get on loan, "green lawnmowers". I have been trying to put up a fence for the last three weeks. Maybe it will force me to work on that now.

Still no insulation, but just as well, I would not have had time to start putting that in. Once we start putting that in, the mode changes from first aid to restoration.

Today, a neighbour gave me a photo of a house that was built in Kihikihi in 1880, and very similar to our place. It was built for Rewi, the Maori chief who was defeated and driven from Kihikihi.

The house is larger, and has an extra room on the left, but it helps to clear up some of my questions. Take note of the finials on the end of the gables, and also the bargeboards or facias on the roof. It will be a valuable reference in future.

Hope my spelling is better than last week.

Love
G&E