May 18, 2007, Kaitaia, New Zealand

Andy - can't decide which hat to wear.

 

Larry and Jeanne.

 

Putting down the subflooring.

 

Roy and Dave putting in nogs.

 

Date:  Friday, May 18, 2007

Kaitaia, New Zealand

 

Today we finally got to work which after 17 days of touring and sightseeing was a pleasant change.  It was nice to just leave the Kea’s in one spot and do some physical labor for a change.  It was also nice to work off some of last night’s excesses from the barbecue. 

 

The local Habitat crew had put in the support system and floor joist for the house.  Malcolm suggested dividing us into four smaller teams so that he can supervise us better.  We worked on finishing the installation of the nogs and also putting up the wood fence that was going around two sides of the property.  By the end of the day we had accomplished a lot.  The nogs were finished, the sub-floor was 99% completed and the fence posts were in and cemented in place.  Also about three fourths of the wood fencing was completed.  Tomorrow we willprobably finish up the sub-floor and be ready for the tri-board panels to arrive Monday.

 

As in the past here in New Zealand the local Habitat was well organized in theway that they start the day.  The devotions were handled today by the pastor Doug from the Salvation Army.  The day’s instruction of what we hoped to accomplish was handled by Malcolm.  They have a site safety person assigned to maintain safe operating conditions and providing instruction on operation of any power tools as needed and general use of ladders, etc.  I think that they set a standard that we could all learn from.  Everyone was smiling at Malcolm’s wrap-up meeting indicating to me that everyone was feeling good about the hard work they put in during the day and the accomplishments that were made.

 

Esther and Bob went into town to see a doctor about having her stitches taken out and a cast put on her ankle.  The doctor basically said that the mechanical brace that she had on was the best solution to maintaining the position of her ankle and why would she want to have a cast?  So the good news is – no cast.  She was back to the site and up on the sub-floor helping nail down the panels in the afternoon.  This helped to relieve some of her frustrations in the morning of wanting to help in some way but being on the sidelines for the most part.  She is a real trouper. 

 

Tomorrowa 25 piece Salvation Army brass band is coming to Kaitaia and will be putting on a performance tomorrow evening.  We have been invited and everyone is looking forward to seeing and hearing them.  Sunday we have a 90 Mile Beach tripplanned.

 

This was a great day.

 

A nap never hurts anything.