Month: August 2024

Almost there…

It’s 25 days since the bathroom renovation began. Today, we have an operational toilet and the painting has been completed.

Waiting for the cabinet to fill the wall space to the right of the window
The shower niche!

For some reason (I seem to have lost the ability to hold details in my mind) the rimu door and roof access architraves could not be reused and were replaced with pine. The painter and I decided, on the hoof, to paint them the same colour as the walls and ceiling rather than staining them to look like rimu. I’m happy with that choice – and there is an example of it in the kitchen.

Painted architraves
The kitchen example

The door and the ceiling access cover will be the original rimu.

Mum and I are at home for one night, but at least we have a toilet! The hotel was fully booked when I tried to extend our stay – maybe people are in town for the Word Festival. Then we will be back at the hotel for a few days, after which, if everything goes to plan, the bathroom will be ready.

A mad wind

It’s a good day to stay inside, away from the draining hot nor’ west wind. I was blown backwards and sideways on my bike going to and from singing this morning, and after fitful sleep (I wake and feel the fell of dark), the lyrics of the songs we sang seemed weighted with strange significance.

Goin’ faster than a roller coaster…

Imagine all the people, sharing all the world… (Yeah, right.)

I see friends shaking hands, saying, ‘how do you do’, they’re really saying, ‘I love you’…

Look at me now, will I ever learn…

You’re still glowin’, you’re still crowin’, you’re still goin’ strong…

Take this sinking ship and point it home…

Only you know how much I have lost…

Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket…

Dark and dusty, painted on the sky…

Soon you’ll be sailing far across the sea…

Hit the road, Jack, and don’t you come back…

Hoki mai ra…

There’s the sound of Tane the tiler’s saw in the driveway and the occasional sharp clatter of tiles from the bathroom. Slow but steady progress; Mum and I have booked another week in the hotel.

Today’s progress. Waiting for a wall cabinet beside the window.
The asterisked grout colours are the ones we’ve chosen for the floor tiles and subway tiles.

Out in the garden, the peach tree continues to blossom and the wind has eased.

Could it be Spring?

After two warm days this weekend and feeling inspired to get out into the garden at last, I think it might be Spring. The tiny daffodils are out, the clematis is turning green, the camelias are in full bloom, the roses are sprouting, the viburnum flowers are beginning to show – and the tiny peach tree has the cutest little pink flowers.

There’s also a fine coating of pollen on the car and on the outdoor furniture. Achoo! Bless you.

Warm toes

On this cold, frosty morning, the tiler arrived and installed the underfloor heating. Everyone tells me I will not regret having this little bit of luxury!

The tiling begins at the end of the week. In the photo below is the combination we have, collectively, chosen. Thank you to bathroom advisor el supremo (you know who you are!) for collecting up paint cards to choose from.

Floor tile, subway tile, dado tile and paint colour.

Bathroom Work – Day 6

A week ago today, the builders began work on the bathroom. A well-coordinated team of plumbers and electricians have visited when required. Today, the builders finished lining the walls ready for the plasterers tomorrow.

Plumbers put the pipes in
Felix went under the floor and came out wearing a cobweb hat – I just caught him here as he shook it off.
The walls were strengthened for fixings and the niche made
The exterior walls have been insulated
The electrician put the wiring in
The builders lined the walls ready for plastering

In the meantime, Mum and I are enjoying the large accessible bathroom (i.e. for a wheelchair) at our hotel. We prefer to be at home during the day despite being ‘inconvenienced’ there. The BP conveniences were out of order today, but Baileys Pub across the road was obliging. It’s good to make a fuss of Felix while we’re home, and I’ve enjoyed feeding the workers with Anzac biscuits, savouries, minestrone, scones and bacon and egg pie.

This morning there was a view from our hotel window across the Salvation Army Citadel to the snowy Southern Alps.

Wet floor shower with fold-down seat and grab rails
A comfortable, sunny room
A room with a view

Greta & Valdin

I loved this book and, since I’ve finished reading it, I find I’m missing the characters. They seemed so real I’d like to know what they’re up to now. I don’t remember having that experience with any other book I’ve read – except where it’s part of a series and then you just wait for the next book to come out. The two main characters named in the title are brother and sister sharing an apartment in Auckland.

The family gatherings in the book were often funny and revealed aspects of the people and relationships which you weren’t expecting. It was good to have a list of characters at the front to refer to and sort out how everyone was connected and who was who, especially where nicknames were used. I like the names – and their origins add another layer to the story.

I thought this book was a fantastic achievement particularly for a first novel. The young author uses colloquial language appropriate to the age group of the main characters and that added realism and charm. I borrowed the book from the library, but if my book shelves weren’t so full I’d be tempted to buy my own copy.

Goodbye old bathroom

The bathroom renovation began yesterday. Now the room is a shell of its former self, but like a museum piece with its lathe and plaster walls. The rotting floor joists have been replaced. The discard pile is increasing – even all that rimu panelling which it isn’t practical to save, sadly.

A variety of wall surfaces revealed
Rotten joists
New joists begin to go in
The old lathe and plaster walls
The rimu panelling is going
A growing pile for dumping

Meantime, Felix is pretty much unperturbed by the noise made by the builders.

Here’s a nostalgic look at what the bathroom looked like.

Primped and preened

There’s Mum with her new haircut, and a pedicure underway. There was a ‘gel pedicure’ on offer with colour, but Mum requested just a cut and file, thanks!

When I came back to collect her, there were two other customers one on each side of her. One had foil on her finger tips – waiting for some nail work to cure, I suppose, while she had a pedicure. She was young, with lovely olive skin and no need to go to so much trouble, in my opinion. I look sideways into these ‘beauty’ salons as I go past and wonder at the expense and effort of manicures and eyebrow enhancements. And what is it with the false eyelashes young women are wearing lately? And how can you do anything useful with long, lacquered nails? Who is it for, anyway? I haven’t noticed men being impressed – unless drag is their thing. Perhaps it’s just for the women’s own amusement; a happier thought than suspecting it’s due to a crushing lack of confidence.

Some of my happiest times as a young woman were spent tramping in places like Rakiura Stewart Island, and the walks around the South Island. You relied on your fitness and appropriate gear to keep warm and dry. No mirrors or make up for days. A wonderful freedom with life in perspective.

Divertimento

Named for the orchestra put together by Zahia Ziouani, this rather wonderful film, based on a true story, is about a young woman who aspires to be a conductor. As you would expect, she faces many challenges.

Apparently only 6% of conductors are women and 4% of them are French. I’m reminded of our own conductor, Gemma New who is principal conductor of the NZSO. Last year’s BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall was conducted by American conductor Marin Alsop. Finnish female conductor, Dalia Staveska, also featured.

This review commented that the film is “quite moving” – we found it very moving. It is in French with sub-titles which adds to its charm and, as you would expect, there is lots of wonderful music.