Yep. The people working on the building have only been able to go inside all of it this this year. It will be interesting to see how the people in the post quake houses near the Cathedral react to the bells being rung when it's all fixed,
This morning I looked out a window and saw white stuff on the ground. I thought there had been a hail storm in the night - but apparently it snowed. Not enough to make a snow person - possibly a snow mouse. There was still some snow it shady places at midday.
Rexory, at least if you come in February it's very unlikely there will be snow. If you get a chance to see it, my favourite post-quake building is Turanga, the Central Library in the Square. I would move in if I were allowed to, then I'd never run out of reading material.
Yesterday when I was passing a factory I saw 3 men in overalls patiently ushering out a mother duck and her ducklings. Apparently they had been found somewhere that wasn't safe, so they were being escorted over the road to the river.
These are the first ducklings I've seen this season.
We have a pair of masked lapwings [sometimes called spur-winged plovers] nesting in the neighbour's longish grass. They have hatched three chicks, one of which seems to have fallen prey to a cat. The remaining pair are foraging on our front lawn, as well as various other neighbours', and growing apace. It lightens our day to see them.
In other news, today would have been my mother's 100th birthday. We have a surfeit of Virgos in our family - wife, grandmother, mother, aunt, granddaughter.
On my morning walks to town to get the paper I pass down a lane that leads to the street through a Catholic Manse (is that what they are called) and joining a pathway from an ex-Josephite nun's place (now rented out) and between the Church and the Catholic Primary school to the main road. There are always lapwings complaining that I am invading their territory.
A neighbour's father is visiting from Germany and, as they have limited space, we offered to accomodate him in our self-contained guest area.
He arrived the Sunday before last at the start of our house sale campaign. That would have been OK except that he was not feeling well on the Tuesday and tested positive for Covid. The area he is in is fine for isolation, but Covid means that the area is not available for inspection. After 8 days he is still testing positive. The Real Estate agents have been asking when he will be well! I don't know why they think we would know - or perhaps they aren't thinking it through.
Mr and Mrs Curly Senior have made it Over East from Perth for their first visit in over 3 years. It's been great for Biggest (and Biggest's partner), Middle and Little Miss to spend time with their grandparents.
Mr C Snr (89) is struggling with a gammy knee - there is no point in reminding him we've been telling him for over 10 years to get it done before it's too late. Now it's sore all the time, he wants it done, but Dr has said "It's too late". Of course, like most things recent,
he can't remember what the Dr said, and is telling everyone he's having it done when he gets back. However, he has been content staying at our place (which he clearly remembers from previous visits) and has also managed to go on a road trip to QLD with my aunt and uncle, so the trip has been a success.
Mind you, it is time for them to return home on Thursday! Mrs C Snr (83) has taken to talking incessantly (I think she's pretty lonely in light of Dad's dementia) - like giving a commentary out loud on her internet surfing while everyone else is watching the footy. Her "will anyone else be interested in this?" filter has clearly been turned off.
And in other news, next week I'm leaving my trial retirement behind after 11 months to take up a 4 month contract working 3 days a week for a friend who has just scored a big job in community-service sector. I'll be chief of "getting things done" - Board papers, a review of one of the teams reporting to her, easing her meeting load. One or two days a week in the city, rest at home.
Today I'll be doing important dutiful son activities - hosting Dad's sister (an unhappy and cranky 93 yo) and my cousin for lunch.
Thanks for the news. It gives a better understanding of a shipmate's life. I hope you enjoy your new employment. I don't want to get back to any, though the volunteer flood disaster relief chaplaincy earlier this year was virtually full time and was its own reward.
For us, downsizing is looking doubtful. Lots of looks but little beyond that apart from investors seeing if they can pick something up cheaply. Rising interest rates may be making family buyers more hesitant.
We have cleared out our garage of things we kept "just in case". And our own looking has found that the smaller places are still expensive or needing much upkeep that will not leave us with the difference to top up our superannuation.
60ml of rain overnight so drove down to get the paper. Lots of parking spaces, and seeing the owners of the news-agency serving, reminded me that today is a public holiday, for some reason.
Not very much interest from buyers for our flood-free home. I think we will take it off the market. Interest rates and economy unpredictability seems to mean that only investors (looking for a bargain) and people (only one) who can sell their own places are considering making offers. And we cannot find reasonable properties we can downsize to and use the difference to increase our super using the downsizing option.
So it looks like we are staying put for a few more years.
The gauge shows about 180mm for the last 36 hours, down from 800 earlier in the year. Lots of weather warnings on the BOM and two SES alerts in the early hours. I think they are being over cautious this time, as they were under cautious or slow to react earlier this year.
The Disaster Relief Chaplaincy Network asked me to indicate my availability for the next seven days.
I must admit to being a bit tired, so I gave a tentative availability. As LKKspouse is recovering from a knee replacement I would work only locally.
The civic centre used before for the disaster recovery centre is still itself being refurbished from its minor flood damage - all the floating floor had to be replaced; and maybe there are other things to repair as well.
The gauge shows about 180mm for the last 36 hours, down from 800 earlier in the year. Lots of weather warnings on the BOM and two SES alerts in the early hours. I think they are being over cautious this time, as they were under cautious or slow to react earlier this year.
Thanks for all that, and the lower rainfall is good news. I'd say better to be overcautious than under, despite the risk that some people won't pay attention.
For me it was the best kind of quake because I slept through it. I remember thinking when I heard about it it wouldn't be as easy for people closer to the epicentre. It's a horrible way to wake up because you're never sure whether it will get worse or not.
I haven't heard or read much about it because I'm avoiding the news at present. Sometimes life seems a bit overwhelming and the ostrich approach seems the easiest response.
A couple from church were looking after their grandchildren on the night of the first and strongest quake here*. Their grand-daughter (4) slept through it, but when she woke up in the morning complained about someone messing up her bedroom. When she was told there had been an earthquake she said, "Not in my room there wasn't." I like the idea that the ones I don't feel didn't happen.
*There was a stronger one, but that was centred in the sea off Kaikoura, a small town about 2 hours drive north. Even though it was so far away it knocked me off my feet, but fortunately I fell on my bed.
Tonight the clocks are moved forward an hour for Daylight saving. There are signs up along the roads with a reminder that when the tsunami siren sounds at mid-day this will just be a test.
I don't know about other Aussie shipmates, but by the time our official holiday to mark the death of the late monarch came round, I was all Queened out (including having watched the Abbey portion of the royal funeral and endless news stories about the Queue, previous royal visits, and such like).
I therefore treated it as a good excuse for a 4-day long weekend, and so did almost everyone else I know. Probably the same will happen in NZ, when they finallyget their official 'day of mourning", at least a week after the actual funeral.
My sentiments exactly but on the Day of Official Mourning I ended up taking an old friend to his chemotherapy follow-up ( no rest for those valiant folk in the cancer services) and making sure he got home safely.
I don't quite understand why your day of mourning wouldn't coincide with the funeral: wasn't that the whole point, so that you'd be free to watch it? I know - catch-up TV and all that - but sometimes you want to see something as it happens.
For us it was just another quiet day. Easier to park in town, and the newspaper shop proprietors were running the shop to avoid paying penalty rates to the staff.
I don't quite understand why your day of mourning wouldn't coincide with the funeral: wasn't that the whole point, so that you'd be free to watch it? I know - catch-up TV and all that - but sometimes you want to see something as it happens.
When you take time zones into account, the funeral was night time here (10 hours time difference give or take an hour for daylight saving if that's applicable).
I spent the morning having a gastroscopy. Grateful to medical staff for ignoring the public holiday. Watched the whole Westminster Abbey and Windsor services live. Finished around midnight here.
I've just seen a report from Metservice ( the government metrological service) the snow to sea level is a possibility in Christchurch this week. So glad I haven't planted any seeds yet.
I've just reminded myself to take the bacon hock out of the freezer so I can make soup. It was a family favourite and I always think of Mum and Dad when I make it.
I've just seen a report from Metservice ( the government metrological service) the snow to sea level is a possibility in Christchurch this week. So glad I haven't planted any seeds yet.
In October! Is that regular or very exceptional please?
Definitely exceptional, especially at sea level, I think they were saying it last happened about this time of year sometime in the 1960s.
The garden shops are full of seedlings. Earlier they mentioned that this spring would be likely to be warmer than usual, and travelling around town over the past week I have seen the last of the daffodils and some absolutely fabulous blossom trees ( the bus route passed by the Botanic Gardens). even the local shopping area has had a makeover and some kindMy of magnolia trees have been planted by the City Council. Spring is usually lovely here, but occasionally strong winds can spoil it.
I often think of the City as a great place for conservatories as we have days when the sun is shining but the Beasterly Eastly* makes walking unpleasant.
* I first thought this name was an original from my Great Uncle, but as I lived here longer I heard it often, especially from older people who had used bikes as their main form of transport. Fortunately for me buses are free after 9a.m for people with a Gold card (citizens over 65). I am not as hardy as my forebears.
My Mother's family landed here in the 1850s, not on The first 4 Ships, but soon after, but I wasn't brought up here.
... buses are free after 9a.m for people with a Gold card (citizens over 65) ...
Only after 9 a.m., and not until you're 65? Here in Scotland we get them at 60; they're free, you can use them at any time of day, and AFAIK you can go pretty much anywhere in Scotland with them.
It makes it worth my while to get up half an hour earlier and take the bus in to work in the morning rather than the train, and is saving me nearly £200 a month, which is not to be sneezed at!
You definitely get a better deal Piglet. Intercity buses here are run by private companies, and while they may give a small discount for over 65 year olds, booking the ticket earlier gives a greater one, the same applies to long distance trains and the interisland ferries.
On the other hand suburban commuter trains which only run out of Wellington and Auckland are covered by the same rules as local buses.
The MerService now has a heavy snow watch from Tuesday at 11 pm to noon on Thursday. Over three quarters of the South Island is included in this, the excepted areas being the north most region and the West Coast.
For land over 400 metres above sea level this may become a warning rather than a watch.
I'm cooking soup in case we lose power and I'm invited to a neighbour's to keep warm as I only have electric heating due to the earthquakes.
I'll be moving outside potted plants into the woodshed and make a bed for Spooky the black cat from up the road under the potting bench, but doubtless she will end up in my laundry - until Aroha finds out.
The TV news is on in a few moments and we'll know what Huia had today — and what we'll have in Wellington tomorrow. It seems that Antarctic chunk of cold is travelling north, but at least it's slower than at first thought, because I'd arranged for my son to take me shopping today and I didn't look forward to venturing out. It was pretty chilly but at least the temperature was still in double figures; tomorrow we're promised 8°C.
It’s been a bit dire though I’ve been lucky going to & from work ( inner east to inner west-about 6 km) by bus. Not so much fun travelling further west to check in a very sick friend). No leaks at hime (yet) but leaks at work & flooded roads. No hope of drying anything so trip to local
Laundrette anticipated.
Thanks for asking. We're safe from flooding and I'd imagine that Mr Curly is also. The lawns are sodden but that will give a good solid base for summer. So far, we've been able to have our normal walking but that looks at risk tomorrow.
We've lived in Lilyfield/Annandale near Whites Creek, and Summer Hill.
The inner West Council website says they have been affected. We have friends in Dulwich Hill we will check with today.
OK at home - but very slushy underfoot. It is fair to say that everyone is over it, though. Biggest and Middle are not expecting cricket to get underway tomorrow.
Mrs Curly was going to do the Long Walk Home (28km from Parramatta to Kings Cross) this arvo/evening raising money for Wayside Chapel, but it has wisely been called off. She's going to walk locally and see how she goes given how the rain actually develops.
Meanwhile, yesterday was a bad day at the local GP surgery - Dr Mrs Curly had to share two very bad test results with quite young patients. She was very upset last night.
Comments
This morning I looked out a window and saw white stuff on the ground. I thought there had been a hail storm in the night - but apparently it snowed. Not enough to make a snow person - possibly a snow mouse. There was still some snow it shady places at midday.
Rexory, at least if you come in February it's very unlikely there will be snow.
These are the first ducklings I've seen this season.
In other news, today would have been my mother's 100th birthday. We have a surfeit of Virgos in our family - wife, grandmother, mother, aunt, granddaughter.
He arrived the Sunday before last at the start of our house sale campaign. That would have been OK except that he was not feeling well on the Tuesday and tested positive for Covid. The area he is in is fine for isolation, but Covid means that the area is not available for inspection. After 8 days he is still testing positive. The Real Estate agents have been asking when he will be well! I don't know why they think we would know - or perhaps they aren't thinking it through.
Are you old enough to remember the line: No Presbyterians in presbyteries? We are.
I am over 70 (just) and don't recall the line as I was Methodist before Uniting Church
Mr C Snr (89) is struggling with a gammy knee - there is no point in reminding him we've been telling him for over 10 years to get it done before it's too late. Now it's sore all the time, he wants it done, but Dr has said "It's too late". Of course, like most things recent,
he can't remember what the Dr said, and is telling everyone he's having it done when he gets back. However, he has been content staying at our place (which he clearly remembers from previous visits) and has also managed to go on a road trip to QLD with my aunt and uncle, so the trip has been a success.
Mind you, it is time for them to return home on Thursday! Mrs C Snr (83) has taken to talking incessantly (I think she's pretty lonely in light of Dad's dementia) - like giving a commentary out loud on her internet surfing while everyone else is watching the footy. Her "will anyone else be interested in this?" filter has clearly been turned off.
And in other news, next week I'm leaving my trial retirement behind after 11 months to take up a 4 month contract working 3 days a week for a friend who has just scored a big job in community-service sector. I'll be chief of "getting things done" - Board papers, a review of one of the teams reporting to her, easing her meeting load. One or two days a week in the city, rest at home.
Today I'll be doing important dutiful son activities - hosting Dad's sister (an unhappy and cranky 93 yo) and my cousin for lunch.
The sun is shining.
mr curly
For us, downsizing is looking doubtful. Lots of looks but little beyond that apart from investors seeing if they can pick something up cheaply. Rising interest rates may be making family buyers more hesitant.
We have cleared out our garage of things we kept "just in case". And our own looking has found that the smaller places are still expensive or needing much upkeep that will not leave us with the difference to top up our superannuation.
Come over cloudy - does that presage the arrival of your aunt?
We await to arrival of Hyacinth Bucket with fear and trembling.
mr curly
Not very much interest from buyers for our flood-free home. I think we will take it off the market. Interest rates and economy unpredictability seems to mean that only investors (looking for a bargain) and people (only one) who can sell their own places are considering making offers. And we cannot find reasonable properties we can downsize to and use the difference to increase our super using the downsizing option.
So it looks like we are staying put for a few more years.
The Disaster Relief Chaplaincy Network asked me to indicate my availability for the next seven days.
I must admit to being a bit tired, so I gave a tentative availability. As LKKspouse is recovering from a knee replacement I would work only locally.
The civic centre used before for the disaster recovery centre is still itself being refurbished from its minor flood damage - all the floating floor had to be replaced; and maybe there are other things to repair as well.
Thanks for all that, and the lower rainfall is good news. I'd say better to be overcautious than under, despite the risk that some people won't pay attention.
I haven't heard or read much about it because I'm avoiding the news at present. Sometimes life seems a bit overwhelming and the ostrich approach seems the easiest response.
*There was a stronger one, but that was centred in the sea off Kaikoura, a small town about 2 hours drive north. Even though it was so far away it knocked me off my feet, but fortunately I fell on my bed.
Tonight the clocks are moved forward an hour for Daylight saving. There are signs up along the roads with a reminder that when the tsunami siren sounds at mid-day this will just be a test.
I therefore treated it as a good excuse for a 4-day long weekend, and so did almost everyone else I know. Probably the same will happen in NZ, when they finallyget their official 'day of mourning", at least a week after the actual funeral.
Life does go on.
When you take time zones into account, the funeral was night time here (10 hours time difference give or take an hour for daylight saving if that's applicable).
I've just reminded myself to take the bacon hock out of the freezer so I can make soup. It was a family favourite and I always think of Mum and Dad when I make it.
In October! Is that regular or very exceptional please?
The garden shops are full of seedlings. Earlier they mentioned that this spring would be likely to be warmer than usual, and travelling around town over the past week I have seen the last of the daffodils and some absolutely fabulous blossom trees ( the bus route passed by the Botanic Gardens). even the local shopping area has had a makeover and some kindMy of magnolia trees have been planted by the City Council. Spring is usually lovely here, but occasionally strong winds can spoil it.
I often think of the City as a great place for conservatories as we have days when the sun is shining but the Beasterly Eastly* makes walking unpleasant.
* I first thought this name was an original from my Great Uncle, but as I lived here longer I heard it often, especially from older people who had used bikes as their main form of transport. Fortunately for me buses are free after 9a.m for people with a Gold card (citizens over 65). I am not as hardy as my forebears.
My Mother's family landed here in the 1850s, not on The first 4 Ships, but soon after, but I wasn't brought up here.
It makes it worth my while to get up half an hour earlier and take the bus in to work in the morning rather than the train, and is saving me nearly £200 a month, which is not to be sneezed at!
On the other hand suburban commuter trains which only run out of Wellington and Auckland are covered by the same rules as local buses.
For land over 400 metres above sea level this may become a warning rather than a watch.
I'm cooking soup in case we lose power and I'm invited to a neighbour's to keep warm as I only have electric heating due to the earthquakes.
I'll be moving outside potted plants into the woodshed and make a bed for Spooky the black cat from up the road under the potting bench, but doubtless she will end up in my laundry - until Aroha finds out.
Sydneysiders, how are you coping with the rain?
Laundrette anticipated.
Thanks for asking. We're safe from flooding and I'd imagine that Mr Curly is also. The lawns are sodden but that will give a good solid base for summer. So far, we've been able to have our normal walking but that looks at risk tomorrow.
The inner West Council website says they have been affected. We have friends in Dulwich Hill we will check with today.
OK at home - but very slushy underfoot. It is fair to say that everyone is over it, though. Biggest and Middle are not expecting cricket to get underway tomorrow.
Mrs Curly was going to do the Long Walk Home (28km from Parramatta to Kings Cross) this arvo/evening raising money for Wayside Chapel, but it has wisely been called off. She's going to walk locally and see how she goes given how the rain actually develops.
Meanwhile, yesterday was a bad day at the local GP surgery - Dr Mrs Curly had to share two very bad test results with quite young patients. She was very upset last night.
Flowers and chocolates have been purchased!
mr curly