Almost There

There have been delays and they are still not completely finished but the window frames went in yesterday and the insulation is done. Everyone involved is rightly chuffed including my next door neighbour who’s niece knows my builder because it’s New Zealand and 2 degrees of separation is totally a thing.

Normal Service Resumes

This appeared yesterday and I’m pleased to report that at some point between lunch time and going home today the wind has been fixed. Only in Wellington!

Windows

This week preparation has begun for new windows in the living/dining room. The main excitement so far has been getting so see the underlying structure of the house which, to my great relief, is in perfect nick. As you can see I’m also going to get insulation.

This is what was under the gib in the original part of the house. 

And wiring for the heat pump that was on the outside is now on the inside. 

Thanks

I got a lovely thank you at work on Wednesday that included lovely flowers from my lovely boss.

More Newness

Things continue on the home front. Right at the very top of the ‘if I owned this place’ list was a screen security door at the front. It was installed this week and we are reaping the full benefit of it today. Lovely fresh air circulating right through the house.

Being Immersed

These photos won’t mean much but they are part of the learning at a full immersion Māori language weekend that’s just wrapping up. Lots of new words and old friends.

Trying to be Productive

But not really succeeding. 

Domestic Goddessing

I’ve had a wonderful couple of days at home puttering around doing stuff. This has included:

Load testing the new washing line,

 Putting up shelves in the (now completed) shed,

  

And making the Christmas cakes. 

This photo pretty much sums it up. Everyone recharges their cordless drill next to cake prep on top of the washing machine, right?

I spent last weekend up in Taranaki for Te Pūtake o Te Riri, the now annual commemoration of the New Zealand land wars that started in 1860.  It’s really hard to put the four days into words. The welcomes (there were three), dawn commemoration, historic site visits and farewell were all amazing in their own ways.

       

The pōwhiri was huge in every way

Yes, Jacinda was there!

Visiting Pukerangiora Pā

 Visiting Mahoetahi

The ahi kā at Te Kohia lit before dawn, literally keeping the home fire burning. 

A New Shed!

Much excitement with the construction of the new shed almost complete. Floor and walls...

And a roof.

Once the door is on I’ll be moving all my weaving gear into its new home. 

Still Working (Really)

I’ve spent most of this week at a wānanga/workshop on the east coast. It was hard work and long days but made way easier by starting each day here, in theory at sunrise but we never quite made it.

And this was home for the last few days, Kurawaka.

And During...

Deconstruction has begun, just the washing line remains but not for long.

And the new shed has arrived or, more accurately the component parts of the shed. 

Construction is scheduled for this week weather permitting and then all my weaving materials will have a nice new home. 

And After and Before

The heat pump has moved, inside and out and now makes a lot more sense. Well, I think so anyway.

   

The next phase is out the back and that's going to require a bit of Tetris as some of the things in the old shed stay but mostly things are going.

 

Before, During...

My first big change to the house is happening this week and it’s meant a bit of a tidy up. The heat pump is moving so things on the back verandah are moving too.

Before...

During...

After will be next week’s update.

Priorities

It’s a lovely day but I have a weaving deadline and a Rugby World Cup game to watch.

Mahia te Mahi/Doing the work

The final stages of preparation for a new pākē/cape and #1 weaving helper is ready to go!

Breakfast of Champions

Having got up crazy early for a flight this is a totally appropriate first breakfast, ginger crunch and a coffee.

Welcome Home

I spent last weekend at a workshop in Hawkes Bay.  It was great but there's nothing like coming home...

Whatu Kakahu

I spent Friday at Te Papa, the national museum, celebrating woven cloaks. It was the launch of an updated book and weavers from all over the country to come together and celebrate their art.  We were invited to wear our work so here we are, mostly new but also one old family cloak that had a lovely day out.

Back to Basics

Skillet bread to be precise but made without the skillet so Pyrex bread really. There is something really satisfying about making your own.  I do have to confess that this was a bread 'pack' that came with my Bargain Box food but it is a yeast bread so there was proper baking involved.

Learning Something New

Today was a weaving day and unusually for us we were all doing the same thing, learning to hiki.  A hiki lets you add in on flat weaving. Sometimes to add colour or add length but also to join woven panels. Colour is easier when you are learning and I'm quietly chuffed with my first (not yet finished) attempt.

Taking Ownership

So a lot has changed in the last few months including having something to bog about!  I now own the house I've been living in for the past 3.5 years and am slowly taking ownership.  Yesterday's effort was in the laundry.

Gone - one box shelf on the wall and small shelf under the window both of which have given me bruises. New - hanging basket shelving.  Getting my DIY groove back!