Tuesday, December 01, 2009
Forest Dwellers
One of the things we love most about our house is the regenerating forest that surrounds it. This spring Guy has been making forays into the bush 'to explore' but has found it difficult to make it down the 'slippery bank' which is a steep section with only rudimentary steps cut into the clay. He keeps attempting it but only makes one descent in two without incident. So the long planned track extension got bumped up the 'To do' list. The spring rains made digging the holes and concreting in the posts a multi weekend job, but this weekend Sunday was fine and warm and we made great progress on attaching the bearers and t
he planking. The steep bank is now overcome by a set of steps leading to a pentagon shaped platform that achieves the switchback in track direction as well as providing access to a connecting track on our neighbours side of the boundary. Before I could complete the deck, Guy decided to try walking along the bearers, explaining that he was a 'cable car' (recalling the Kuranda Skyrail! ). Once the deck was on he was so pleased with it that he decided we should have dinner down there, and so we did!
he planking. The steep bank is now overcome by a set of steps leading to a pentagon shaped platform that achieves the switchback in track direction as well as providing access to a connecting track on our neighbours side of the boundary. Before I could complete the deck, Guy decided to try walking along the bearers, explaining that he was a 'cable car' (recalling the Kuranda Skyrail! ). Once the deck was on he was so pleased with it that he decided we should have dinner down there, and so we did! 
Remembering Jeremy
Saturday 28th marked a year since my friend and colleage was killed in the crash of an A320 aircraft in France. Risk and it's consequences are never far from mind in this business even before Jeremy's death, now they are everpresent. In Wellington's prevailing northerly breeze aircraft take off on runway 34 towards Newlands. At 06:30 each morning the Air NZ flight to Australia (NZ141 to Sydney or NZ151 toMelbourne) departs and on most days they climb north out over the harbour before turning left and heading west over our place. They are still climbing hard and accelerating as they pass overhead and the distinctive fan noise reminds me it is an A320. I am always up by then and often step out to witness the sunrise. And each time I hear that Airbus heading out over the sea, I remember Jeremy and think quietly about getting to work.
