Mad dog

Mad dog doing rabbit impersonations

First night

the view out to the north

Anne and I enjoyed our first night at our Totara Valley home (with permission, but kind of under the radar as the final settlement process is still a few weeks from completion!).
We had an awesome Christmas Day with family and friends here in Christchurch and then in Timaru before spending the late evening sitting outside our ‘church building’ with a warm westerly wind, a near to full moon, and for me, a rather splendid Argentinian Trapiche Malbec (2010).  Anne had her favourite Montana/Brancott Sauvignon Blanc (2012).
There were a few creaks and groans in the three-room shack, as the roof iron adjusted to the night-time drop in temperature, but otherwise, the peace of the countryside made for undisturbed sleep.
There are a range of challenges ahead for us, the weight of which is slowly bearing down… no water, no sewerage (just dig a hole Mart!), no kitchen, and no insulation… but there is electricity!
We are investigating water tanks and rain-water collection devices, chemical toilets (in the meantime), and a range of other kitchen stuff until we get some units and a sink and plumbing…
Then there is fencing (dog and rabbit proof), lawn mowing, tree-felling (a certain number of trees have to go), and all that jazz.
We bought a shower tent and portable solar shower sleeves from the wonderful Kathmandu shop (a great deal), and that with a good-sized portable water tank will suffice for our planned late January three night stay.
All very exciting!