Wahoo, I got my restricted! I have been riding as much as I can to get my confidence and skills up. Trevor couldn’t fit me in prior to Christmas so I went to Dunedin for my test. The lovely Debbie gave me an hour lesson and she taught me some new skills. I then did my test, I was super nervous and wasn’t sure if I passed when I finished. I had a complex intersection just before a rail crossing and my head was bobbing around doing all my checks. I was so focused on that when I got to the other side of the tracks I was only going 50km and didn’t see the 80km signs. Debbie had to tell me to go faster haha. I also lost her once which is a no no. She also got me to do this complicated intersection which is uphill with a very sharp turn. You have to check your mirrors and your blind spot. Then turn without getting on the white lines, no cutting corners here! Somehow I managed it!

I was so knackered by the time we got back to Herbert I didn’t really have it in me to do much else. Photos below of practice rides with Rowan

Thursday, we are heading to Christchurch. We are waiting for concrete to cure and I have been missing Liz and Rick. Every time we go up there is a million things to do, this time we just get to hang out. I have also been worrying that we won’t get a chance to see them pre Christmas as it is all play by ear we may be gunning it to the ferry in Picton.

With Noodly out of action we take Camele. She is due a warrant which I totally forgot about so it made sense to book it in if we can. Lucky for us they have time with such short notice.

Rowan churns some raw cream from our milk supplier and makes some beautiful compound butter. He slow cooked garlic at Jimmys for 3 weeks and made a beautiful butter. First time making butter and it really needs to be the right temperature before it will churn. Rowan watched Liz open her hives. He only got one sting! Liz and I went to see Wicked at the movies. It was really good. I haven’t seen a movie since I last went with Liz.

We got a quick chance to catch up with Paul, who has set up his warehouse as a shop. Man the awesome stock he has in there. A lot from Australia. If you’re into records he is the man to see! Can’t wait to see it open.

Same day we also got to have a quick lunch with Michael. His garden is looking good. Lots of vegetables growing.

Rowan and I found some new residents in the house truck. We put some bait down so hopefully when it comes from Christchurch we don’t have new tenants.

Monday and straight to work. This week is focusing on back filling with AP and compacting it ready for the slab. The black plastic is a moisture barrier. I videoed Chris coming into the house it was pretty impressive! I will put it on here. Not sure if it will work! We didn’t quite get the first pad completed.