Sunday, November 23, 2014

Beginning Of The Christchurch Adventure

Yesterday I arrived back on the North Island after a 3 week long trip around the South Island. My goal was to come back exhausted. I got my wish. It also meant that I didn't knit or blog anything while I was gone. All my time was spent working or sleeping. It's about time I caught everyone up.

I started out by flying from Wellington to Christchurch. Dennis picked me up and gave me a tour of the horse farm. One of his mares was quite close to foaling and I was asked if I wanted to be woken up if it happened. It did and at 4AM I found myself out in a field meeting Percy. I held him still while Dennis put iodine on his belly button.

The next day we got to work. Dennis had a bunch of trees ripped out of his yard and we spent two days cutting them up and putting them in the fire pit. For this job I got to learn how to drive a tractor. We started out with, "Do you know how to drive a manual?" "No."

I got good by the end. I was left to pick up as much wood as I could, then drive it to the pit where I drove startlingly close to the edge before dumping everything. Every time I drove up to the edge, a voice in my head would shout, "For the love of God, put it in neutral!" I made sure I followed that instruction before dumping each load.

The second day I learned how to use a chainsaw. All went well and I felt a bit more empowered. But it sure is tough on the back. I liked driving the tractor much more.

While we were working Dennis asked me if I was tired. I told him I was tired hours ago, but I was happy to keep working. I've never slept so solidly.

6 comments :

Rachelle said...

Welcome to Christchurch!

Knitcoach said...

I like driving tractors better, too.

Alicia said...

Wow, what fun and physically-demanding adventures!

Alina Sayre said...

You are a BOSS, my friend :) What an adventure! Can't wait to hear the rest.

Anonymous said...

I can see a couple of health & safety issues there... thank goodness you did not get injured! I bet it was fun though!

Jennifer said...

WOW! Driving a tractor and operating a chainsaw, I am impressed!

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