During September ....

Yes, I know it is now October, but a bit has happened since my last post.

The Govt here has a scheme to get help get older homes insulated* - they pay 1/3rd of the cost. My wee flat qualified as "older" as it was built before 2000.

Along with underfloor insulation I've had a plastic sheeting placed over the ground in the basement to prevent dampness inside. Before that could be done the basement had to be emptied-



Then the insulation team put in the sheeting and stapled it into the ground, while also pushing the insulation up in between the floor joists.



This insulation is fireproof, and can easily be moved for any work on the wiring or plumbing.



Zebby stayed under his quilt while it all happened, and the first time he stepped outside the front door afterwards he refused to go any further - there were strange things under the clotheline! Eventually Zeb realised the old doors made a handy spot for playing "King of the Castle" and sunbathing.



Once all the junk from the basement had gone (whisked away up the demon steps by some rubbish removers) Zebby's garden was peaceful again with just the daisies for him to contemplate.

Okay - just the one daisy flower for Zebby to contemplate or flatten with a paw!


* there are similar insulation schemes in some Australian States

Kowhai

Springtime is definately here in Wellington. All sorts of trees introduced from the Northern Hemisphere are starting to show their glorious blossoms and blooms, and the fruit trees are so welcome. My local supermarket has a garden section, with plants raised to cope with Wellington's frequent strong wind. A joy to view every springtime in New Zealand is the flowering of the native Kowhai Tree -


This one has been planted in a small garden between the supermarket's garden centre and the ramp for cars to go down to the lower carpark! ( I took this photo while coming up the trolley ramp) Usually I 'm not a fan of golden yellow flowers, but this Kowhai Tree is so beautiful, a spot of golden glory amongst all the grey concrete and urban walls. Inspired planting by the supermarket's owners!

Another One!

Stick Insect that is - this time in the brown colourway. The head is at the top. It is holding the 3rd set of leggies together at the bottom.

Christchurch and the Canterbury area are still receiving many after-shocks - over 120 so far with some measuring as high as 5.1. I just heard on the radio news that the water supply has been thoroughly tested and has just now been given the all clear to drink (folks have had to boil all water for the past few days). The scientific boffins think this particular faultline hadn't moved for 16 thousand years, so you'll understand our suprise at Christchurch being hit!

All is fine at Mickle and Zebbycat's home this evening - I'm blogging and he's snoring.

Wellington is okay

Many thanks for the comments and emails asking about our welfare after the huge earthquake down in Christchurch.

The quake was felt in Wellington but not by us - Mickle and Zebby slept through it all, completely unaware, and we have no damage. My Uncle and Aunt who live in Christchurch were over at their holiday home in Akaroa on Banks Peninsula. While they would have felt the quake the worst they had was no electricity today. Of course they have yet to check their Christchurch home however, for now they are better to stay put. If we were to pick a city here to be struck by a major earthquake Christchurch is probably the last one we would think of - Wellington is considered to be overdue "the big one".

Christchurch is built on an alluvial plain which shook like jelly (jello). A lot of the damage to homes is from brick chimneys falling down. There is a great deal of damage in the inner city, especially to older buildings built from bricks. While talking with my sister Liz (over in London, UK) tonight we realised that Christchurch hasn't had the massive redevelopment that has happened in Wellington and Auckland. We have very strict building standards now.

Along with damage to buildings the water mains and sewer pipes are affected - some suburbs were flooded. While today and tomorrow have been dry, tomorrow Christchurch will be blasted with gale force winds which may affect already unstable buildings and structures.

For more information check out www.stuff.co.nz .

And on the third day of Spring ...

...nature delivered a sharp shock at 5.30pm. Flashes of lightening, deep booms of thunder and hail pelting down. Afterwards I opened the front door to this:


It very seldom snows here so this is the closest I get to cold, white, wet stuff lying around on the ground.


Full sympathy for my neighbour arriving home from work in the middle of it all - I wouldn't like to be coming down our demon steps with all the slippery hail stones.



After an unsettled half hour Zebby went back to the comfort of snuggling down on the bed under his battered quilty comforter, and peace returned to our home. Okay, so now it is sleeting but at least the boomies have gone away!

First day of Spring

The 1st of September and, amazingly, the sun shone and there was very little
wind or cloud so I had blue, blue skies above

and bright blue, blue grape hyacinth flowers just outside the front door.

With a green, green stick insect on the handrailing .....

And a purry, purry Zebbycat all snug, secure and cosy under his battered quilty comforter.

Never mind, Northern Hemispherers - the weather is due to pack up here tomorrow, back to wind and rain. Zebby will be fine inside; I'm the one who has to go out in it all, lol!