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Did the earth move for you darling?Posted on Sunday 7 October 2007 at 05:49 - Post Comment
Thursday saw us have our very first earthquake! Yes - you read that right, an earthquake! 5.6 on the Richter scale apparently, and with an epicentre North of Hanmer Springs. It was weird - I was at work and it was like someone had slammed a door downstairs, but without the noise. It was just a 'feeling' through my feet.
Then, Toni (at home as it's school hols) called to say that the whole room had just shook slightly for 6 seconds or so - just like someone was jumping around upstairs or something - but again without the noise. A most odd sensation! So there you go - we've experienced a quake and survived. What a story to tell the grand-kids!
The UK house is getting sorted. The ceiling work should be done by now, and my bro-in-law Carl is sorting out a couple of other minor niggles there. The tenants are deffo leaving in Jan, which if we haven't sold it by then causes us a major headache, however that is a long way away and so we'll see what happens there. We do actually have a second viewing from an interested investor this Sunday (Sun night here in NZ) so fingers crossed for that. As buyers ourselves though, we know that it may well come to nothing so we'll try not to get excited about it. It'll be interesting to see what their thoughts are though, to prepare for any future viewings.
Amidst all this stuff, drama at work, and for T and I, in that our good friends Mark (working for me at Select) and his wife Gail (now T's best mate) have dropped the bombshell that they are quitting NZ and heading back to Liverpool to have their baby. We are gutted, as it leaves our arses in the breeze a little following the input we've given to get them settled and happy, and we really believed that they'd be mates for a long time to come. Still - that's emigration for you. Even worse (for them) is that they had just signed to buy their land in Rolleston which they now need to sell asap. So, if anyone wants a 1250m square section on Boulez Mews in Rolleston, then PM me for the details. I'd buy it myself as land out there is still going mental but we are currently maxed out on the mortgage front.
To get away from all the hassle, T and I decided to head off to Hanmer Springs this weekend for a little R&R. In theaory a great idea, but following in the vein of our current run of luck it all turned to custard. On arrival yesterday (Saturday) morning we discovered the pools were closed as the pump that draws the water had broken. No worries though, as we were assured that all would be fixed for SUnday, so we had a lovely walk in the sun through the woods - taking the opportunity to talk through our recent dissappointments, and plan on the strategies we needed to turn them around. That evening we went to sleep in our tent, safe in the knowledge that Sunday would be a good 'un. Erm... at least that was the idea!
Come 1.30am, a storm blew in with huge winds that kept us awake for three hours. As they got steadily worse we decided to quit the tent for the quiet and non-flappyness of the car. T was soon asleep, but I just had this thought in my head that I should pack the tent in case it blew away. It was still there an hour later (both the thought, AND the tent!), so I undertook its bidding, and braved the wind and cold (I know, hero ain't I?
And thank God I did! The rain then started and it was absolutely sheeting it down! So, that pretty much put paid to me getting any sleep at all. In all I think we managed to get 4 hours between us, and come the morning there was no change forthcoming. So, we did what any self respecting Christchurchian would have done, and headed straight home. We got back to bright sunshine, and just in time to watch the AB's lose to France in the rugby world cup - and also to hear that England had beat the Aussies!!! Way to go lads!!!!
To make the most of the time, T went to bed and caught up on some much needed kip whilst I watched the match replays and packed up a load more stuff in the lounge in preparation for the move in just a week ond one day. It really is real. Really!
Some classic NZ pics for you, taken on the way home this morning:
If only we'd found the pot of gold - we could do with it right now!:
All in all, an up and down week, but with lots to look forward to. Keeps life interesting!
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