Southerly by David Haywood

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Southerly: Coming Up For Air

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  • Samuel Scott,

    I am so glad this post ended with a happy twist! Covenants be dammed. Moving old houses to save them is a wonderful thing. My mum has done it a number of times and it's always worked out marvelously. Much less stress than building a house from scratch.

    South Wellington • Since Feb 2008 • 315 posts Report

  • Ian Dalziel, in reply to ChrisW,

    tapeworm or earworm…

    Dunsandel is much more notable
    for its dog dosing strip.*

    Plus the excellent human dosing spot…
    The Dunsandel Store

    do stop for a great nosh if you are passing through…
    .
    .

    *’By the dog dosing strip at Dunsandel’
    Song written by Ken Avery
    By the dog dosing strip at Dunsandel I fell in love with you
    My dog was a bit hard to handle and yours was a bit that way too.
    I bought in my terrier to get him fixed up
    And the more was the merrier when you bought your pup.
    By the dog dosing strip at Dunsandel I fell in love with you

    By the dog dosing strip at Dunsandel I fell in love with you
    By the same little strip at Dunsandel the dogs got so romantic too.
    I knew at a glance it was canine romance when the terrier’s breath
    Came in short pants.
    By the dog dosing strip at Dunsandel I fell in love with you

    By the dog dosing strip at Dunsandel I’m going to make you mine.
    By the dog dosing strip at Dunsandel we’ll be tasting the sweet bread and wine.
    As the dogs gave a lead just for you and for me,when they both started singing a chained melody.
    By the dog dosing strip at Dunsandel I fell in love with you

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report

  • ChrisW, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    *’By the dog dosing strip at Dunsandel’
    Song written by Ken Avery

    Perhaps the Bridal Path will lead there after a few Monteiths?

    Gisborne • Since Apr 2009 • 851 posts Report

  • Lilith __, in reply to ChrisW,

    And the horse she rode in on

    Perhaps the Bridal Path will lead there after a few Monteiths?

    Beware the unbridled brides seeking their grooms….

    Dunedin • Since Jul 2010 • 3895 posts Report

  • Ken Sparks,

    I often admired your house (identified by the snowy photos you posted here) on my morning runs along Avonside Drive while I was down there working on 'When A City Falls.' Every few days I witnessed yet another house being demolished - I didn't see any being moved offsite - and just couldn't imagine this entire area being cleared of houses. And isn't the nearby Avonside Girls High undergoing extensive repairs? It seems to me that a huge amount of disruption is being caused by a somewhat arbitrary Red Zone assessment - who really knows what's going to happen next underground? Did you ever consider doing a Joe Bennett or do you agree that it's too unsafe to stay?
    Anyway, I'm pleased you've found a solution at last and that your lovely house will be saved- good luck with all that and may the ker-thump, ker-thump be replaced by a steady beat soon enough.
    Also, +1 re the OGB you showed great spirit (and humour) in the face of adversity...

    Cox’s Creek • Since Apr 2011 • 60 posts Report

  • Raymond A Francis,

    Well done David, really pleased you have found a good sustainable way through this minefield
    As for your other stresses, raising children is like that although you have much more than your share...enjoy the good times, endure the rest
    We had hard times while we raised our boys, money losses can be replaced but those good times were magic
    Kia kaha

    45' South • Since Nov 2006 • 578 posts Report

  • Islander,

    I am so glad you have reached a good point, despite extremely trying times. I am in awe of your & Jen's stamina & persistence, and hope, fervently, that the bad run has finished, and 2012 will a year of joy & stability* for you all.

    *The kind of stability that includes successfully shifting the home!
    And I would be another who would welcome posts of a techie nature...

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report

  • 3410,

    Happy that you've finally got some good news. Have thought about you guys often and worried about your situation. All the very best for the new year.

    Auckland • Since Jan 2007 • 2618 posts Report

  • Geoff Lealand,

    Jeez, David, you are well overdue for some good fortune. For all your troubles, you deserve to keep the sheep (see photo).

    Screen & Media Studies, U… • Since Oct 2007 • 2562 posts Report

  • Jeanette King,

    Great to have an update post, been missing you on Public Address ... Best wishes for a great 2012!

    Ōtautahi • Since Oct 2010 • 43 posts Report

  • James Green,

    This is great news. Covenants are one of the key diagnostic signs of the pathogen Wisteria stepfordii, an invasive infection found all too prevalently in Canterbury.

    My understanding is that they can be very difficult to enforce, and at times can be hilariously circumvented because the people that write them lack imagination. My parents built a house in a subdivision that required that the front fence could not be further forward than the front of the house - very Wisteria Lane-ish, so everyone was supposed to have a big open lawn between the house and the street. I think the covenant may also have precluded hedges. Unfortunately for the covenant writers, it did not preclude a self-made bund covered in a rabid array of natives*...

    *in some weird cosmic irony, twenty years later, invasions of wisteria stepfordii are now often separated from healthy tissue by very large bunds also covered in (much more organised) natives.

    Limerick, Ireland • Since Nov 2006 • 703 posts Report

  • Paul Dowden,

    Wonderful news David. I've occasionally thought a wee acreage somewhere outside Christchurch would be nice. I'm ver happy for you and your family.

    Re. Polly I'm sure you get all sorts of unsolicited advice but my nephew, who's about five now, had all the same allergies - thankfully he's grown out of most of them. My sister developed some excellent (evidence based!) recipes and strategies to keep him, and non-allergic siblings, fed and happy. I could pass on contacts if you like.

    Canberra • Since Dec 2007 • 38 posts Report

  • Conrad Heine,

    Good to see you back, David. Your ability to share generously in the midst of adversity is truly humbling.

    London/New Zealand • Since Mar 2008 • 18 posts Report

  • Judi Lapsley Miller,

    So very very glad that things are moving in a positive direction - big hugs to you all!

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 106 posts Report

  • Che Tibby,

    holy schmolyeons...

    "it has to be acknowledged that many, many people have had a much tougher time than us."

    ur freaking kidding right?

    your post suggested a dozen or so reasons why i need remain zen about my few petty troubles. always refreshing to have the perspective renewed.

    congrats on the new location, and here's to a new year.

    the back of an envelope • Since Nov 2006 • 2042 posts Report

  • Rob Stowell,

    Great news on the section- but hell, what a year. Hope you have somewhere to relax over Christmas. It's a shame the babyhoods are so fraught. Toddlers are cool, though :)

    Whakaraupo • Since Nov 2006 • 2120 posts Report

  • David Haywood,

    Many thanks for all the very kind comments on this thread! It's so nice to know that people are thinking of us.

    It's a super-generous suggestion, but I can assure everyone that there's no need to have a whip-round for us -- however if you do feel the Christmassy urge to give, may I suggest a donation to the Red Cross? They've been absolutely fantastic down here.

    BenWilson wrote:

    David, are you intending to stay there, or hoping to ride out bad financial times, and then eventually sell and relocate?

    At the moment we have no plans to move again. Ever.

    Dunsandel • Since Nov 2006 • 1156 posts Report

  • David Haywood, in reply to Ken Sparks,

    It seems to me that a huge amount of disruption is being caused by a somewhat arbitrary Red Zone assessment - who really knows what's going to happen next underground? Did you ever consider doing a Joe Bennett or do you agree that it's too unsafe to stay?

    Thanks for the very nice message, Ken. We don't have access to all the geotech data for our area, but (from my own inspection of ours and neighbouring sections) I don't think it's necessary for us to move from a geotech perspective. But we have to go anyway because the Red Zone declaration means that we'll lose our insurance if we stay -- and that means we'd be in breach of our mortgage conditions. And I guess our bank would step in and sell our property to CERA in the end, anyhow.

    Dunsandel • Since Nov 2006 • 1156 posts Report

  • David Haywood, in reply to Paul Dowden,

    I'm sure you get all sorts of unsolicited advice but my nephew, who's about five now, had all the same allergies - thankfully he's grown out of most of them. My sister developed some excellent (evidence based!) recipes and strategies to keep him, and non-allergic siblings, fed and happy. I could pass on contacts if you like.

    All recipes and suggestions gratefully accepted -- thank you very much, Paul!

    Dunsandel • Since Nov 2006 • 1156 posts Report

  • Gee,

    I'm SO pleased to hear that you're all finally able to look forward to being settled for the first time since September 4 2009. Best wishes for the upcoming dismantling and so forth, and for having more sleep and a more settled Polly. And Merry Christmas/Happy New Year to you and Jen and the wee 'uns.

    Canada, eh • Since May 2011 • 78 posts Report

  • Graeme Haywood,

    Allergies. The old-fashioned diet of Canterbury lamb, Oamaru potatoes and 3 vegetables supplemented by frequent generous helpings of flounder may be worth trying.

    Since Jun 2011 • 7 posts Report

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Graeme Haywood,

    Allergies. The old-fashioned diet of Canterbury lamb, Oamaru potatoes and 3 vegetables supplemented by frequent generous helpings of flounder may be worth trying.

    Well, *I'll* try it!

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Ross Mason,

    Nah. Just make sure Polly and Bob play in and eat good Dunsandle dirt!!!!

    Upper Hutt • Since Jun 2007 • 1590 posts Report

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Lucy Stewart,

    Just don’t take the family swimming in Lake Ellesmere, once you get there; if I recall my geology report on it correctly, Canadian geese have not done its nutrient levels any favours.

    Oddly enough, David wrote a tremendous post called The End of Lake Ellesmere? here five years ago.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Paul Williams,

    David, your post is remarkable and like Che, I've gained a little perspective on my minor challenges. I can entirely relate to the challenges of kids with allergies. My 6 yr old had a similar combination of allergies and slept badly as a result. Fortunately, she grew out of most and nows sleeps well. I hope this is your experience too.

    Regardless of whether the fundraiser comes off for the Hays (and others here too perhaps), I'm picking up a few of the PA books for friends.

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report

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