Work by any other name

A week of work, followed by a Saturday working bee, the annual Riverhaven clean up day.

The day started early, after a week of running around (in my spare time) hunting for number plates (for boat), well hidden by Russ and never to be found. A very helpful lady at the AA suggested a name change, then de register (in my name so I get the refund that I have just paid for a year) and then a new registration and plate number! Phew, I was ready to transport the boat a few miles down the road for the well planned service. Or was I?

Dan appeared bright and early Saturday morning, as his truck and towing and backing expertise was needed to undertake the proposed excursion. First obstacle – The wires to plug in the lights on the trailer has been cut through and with a bit of kiwi ingenuity, ignoring the colourblindness, Dan managed to resplice and tape wires to get the indicators and one tail light going! A high viz vest on the prop! New number plate taped onto the boat ladder (as couldn’t remove the rusted bolt to secure it in the numberplate bar) and we were off! 7.45am! Safely delivered to the workshop and the little hiccup of forgetting to leave the boat key! This issue was easily fixed with a quick turnaround from only a short distance! And back to Riverhaven at 8.45am in time to join the crew, Jaxon, Steph and Trud, for the working bee!

The day had only just begun, for Dan who worked all day on the drainage crew, while the rest of us gardened – for the morning at least! Tidying up the gardens around my cottage and over by the boat port.

The Dotteral is a small NZ coastal bird nearly extinct, and very protected. These guys nest on the sand around Waiwera!

Whilst gardening, a lost baby about the size of a fifty cent piece, was darting around the camp looking for its Mum. We managed to herd him back to the beach towards the nest area, as you cannot touch them or the mother will reject him.

The day went on and my nephew, Fraser arrived around lunchtime with his two kids. They are camping in my empty cottage for the night…and had a lovely day at the beach and playground.

Fraser with his beautiful daughter Esme! Dinner at Trudis cottage!

Free beer and BBQ at the gazebo by the estuary after a busy (for some) day! Very chilly wind so we didn’t last long…..back to Trudis cottage and ready for tea!

One last evening wander, Trudi with her solar lights all changing colour on her deck…. Fraser and the kids tucked up, Dan and Lex back at their house with Floyd, and Jax, And his mates enjoying a cheeky game of beer pong and a few beers.

Sunday – funday! I think some prep on the cottage for the carpet laying and unpack a few kitchen boxes, Steph is bringing up her laptop so Dan can try and get my internet connected…which was supposed to be done by the very inefficient Vodafone on Friday…,got the usual email…”congratulations your internet is easy to use, just turn on modem and watch for the lights all to come on and you are ready to go” (and we are happy to charge you premium prices for a service that doesnt work and you have to sort out yourself!). They will be getting a very cross call and a return to site to Sort out phone call if the boys have no luck!