Southerly by David Haywood

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Southerly: Coming Up For Air

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  • Lilith __,

    Oh David. About halfway through this post I wasn't sure I could read it right through, so nightmarish is your story. I can't imagine how you and Jen have survived and not gone stark raving mad. But a happy(ish) ending, hallelujah!!! Congratulations. And hugs.

    Dunedin • Since Jul 2010 • 3895 posts Report

  • Jackie Clark,

    Oh my darlings. Hurray for the new land - which looks fabulously bucolic, and perfect and beyond for Bob the Explorer, and his little sister! Boo for the allergies. Workable but a pain, nevertheless. Hurray for the keeping of the lovely villa! Boo for the sleeplessness.

    Mt Eden, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 3136 posts Report

  • David Haywood, in reply to Lilith __,

    Thanks, Lilith & Jackie! But, of course, it has to be acknowledged that many, many people have had a much tougher time than us.

    In an update to CERA’s accommodation scheme, there is now a question mark over whether people in our situation are eligible or not while their houses are being moved. I’m investigating further (as soon as I find the time).

    Dunsandel • Since Nov 2006 • 1156 posts Report

  • Jackie Clark, in reply to David Haywood,

    You all deserve a good long sleep/rest/restorative therapy of some sort.

    Mt Eden, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 3136 posts Report

  • merc,

    I hope you won't mind some technical details.

    Are you kidding? I love technical details. And isn't it odd that when we finally give in, something comes along (the section in this case).

    Since Dec 2006 • 2471 posts Report

  • Joe Wylie,

    Attachment

    In short, a wonderful location for a young family.

    Congratulations, it's a beautiful spot. You did good finding somewhere quiet. At the picturesque & entertaining Warwickz Farm right on the main highway there the noise level from the passing trucks can put Blenheim Road to shame. Still a great place with heaps of exotic livestock which adds to the charm of the neighbourhood no end.

    Here's Mr Bruce displaying one of his top chooks during the Devonshire tea. Recommend the scones.

    flat earth • Since Jan 2007 • 4593 posts Report

  • philipmatthews,

    Hi David -- this is good news. And it reminds me: Conrad of the Economist fame left your bike key with me. How urgently do you need it? Email me if you like.

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2007 • 656 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to philipmatthews,

    How's Mr Heine doing these days?

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to Jackie Clark,

    You all deserve a good long sleep/rest/restorative therapy of some sort.

    +1

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    What amazes me is that through all this you've remained the delightful man you are.

    I hope you all have a great Christmas, David. Will we see you in Aucks this summer?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Ngaire BookieMonster,

    Oh. I woke up this morning in my own funk about our suddenly precarious state but compared to this? Meh. We'll be fine.

    As a one year old countrysider may I say the countryside is just lovely. And the sound of cows and sheep is amazingly soothing. I hope the coming months hold a minimum of fuss for you.

    At the foot of Mt Te Aroh… • Since Nov 2009 • 174 posts Report

  • Nat,

    You all deserve a good long sleep/rest/restorative therapy of some sort.

    +about a million

    And you made us all laugh ourselves silly at the OGB in the middle of all of this David!

    Russell, can we have a fundraiser for the Haywoods' lost $20k? :-)

    Seattle • Since Jun 2011 • 52 posts Report

  • Bart Janssen,

    It is such a relief to hear that things are looking brighter.

    I look forward to technical details and I look forward to the non-technical details of your lives becoming less chaotic. I would have said normal but small steps for now.

    +1 on a fundraiser, I will pay money if you can figure out a pretense that the Hay's will accept.

    I'd also note that David is the author of books that make excellent christmas presents.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 4461 posts Report

  • Gregor Ronald,

    I'm so glad to hear that you've found a solution, even though you were taken to the limit by other people's attitudes and mistakes. We're having what may be the last of the River Rd block meetings tonight, as nearly everyone has left our area and the group is drifting apart. The dismantling of neighbourhoods is one of the saddest aspects of all this post-quake mess. Anyway, you now have a future that looks positive, which is great news for Christmas week.

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 103 posts Report

  • Megan Wegan,

    And you'll be about 15 minutes from my parents' house. Please get chickens. I am positive that Bob would love chickens.

    When you and I had coffee last month, I was thinking how exhausted you looked, and how I wished there were something I could do. I am glad it all worked out in the end.

    Welly • Since Jul 2008 • 1275 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to Bart Janssen,

    I'd also note that David is the author of books that make excellent christmas presents.

    Otterly - details of one here

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Deborah,

    The land, and the village, look wonderful.

    From Wikipedia:

    Dunsandel had a population of 429 in the 2006 Census, an increase of 27 since 2001. The town was established to serve the local farming community which includes dairy, sheep and cropping and continues providing veterinary, transport and vehicle repair services. It has one primary school for approximately 50 children. The town is the home to the Dunsandel Cricket Club. The club's 'A' team has a reputation as one of the premier teams in the Ellesmere district.

    So much more hard work to come, with moving houses and all that, but I guess now with a sense of being able to do something, instead of just having to keep on trying to find your way through the insurance knot.

    I hope that you and Jen find some moments of peace over the Christmas break.

    New Lynn • Since Nov 2006 • 1447 posts Report

  • Joshua Drummond,

    Jeee-zus. What a breathtakingly awful year. Sorry for the general unhelpfulness of this comment, but all the best for Christmas and the New Year, and the new home.

    At the risk of speaking for other PA readers, would it be possible to set up some kind of donation affair to help Christmas along a bit for your family?

    Since Nov 2006 • 119 posts Report

  • Ross Mason,

    Along with Lilith I was not expecting the punchline. it looked bad bad bad.

    Dunsandel. Great name for a place. Shame they couldn't spell it like the original Irish, Galway, - Dunsandle. 16,000km does funny things to the Englush langwidge.

    I have to say though. Tie the bloody thing down well. Dunsandel seems to have attracted it's fair share of shakes since Spetember 2010!

    Upper Hutt • Since Jun 2007 • 1590 posts Report

  • Bart Janssen, in reply to Ross Mason,

    Tie the bloody thing down well.

    I have a suspicion that the new foundations will be an engineering marvel.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 4461 posts Report

  • ChrisW,

    Hy Datid, oops, David – so pleased for you and this news.

    But don't believe that stuff from Wikipedia is all there is to it – Dunsandel is much more notable for its dog dosing strip.

    Gisborne • Since Apr 2009 • 851 posts Report

  • BenWilson,

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

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report

  • Dee Morgan,

    I will be crossing my fingers firmly - you deserve this luck to hold fast!

    Auckland, New Zealand • Since Jul 2011 • 4 posts Report

  • Glenn Pearce,

    David, I seriously don't know where you got the strength from but the future sounds so much brighter.

    All the best for the new year and beyond.

    Auckland • Since Feb 2007 • 504 posts Report

  • Lucy Stewart,

    There have been only very short patches of time in my life when I've experienced that feeling you describe so aptly of waking up and remembering everything is still about to go to crap without the aid of factors probably outside your control, but I can hardly imagine what months and months of that would be like, psychologically. I'm very excited to hear the technical details, and hope the whole thing goes as uncomplicatedly as it possibly can. 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.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2105 posts Report

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