"SON OF GOD, OH CARPENTER WILL YOU COME BACK AROUND? ...

... The blocks and beams are crumbling and the house is fallin' down."

When we finally get around to looking for an apartment to buy in Wellington we'll have to pay careful attention not only to the condition and safety of the building but also to government and council earthquake safety ratings and other regulations. These can change so a bit of professional advice will be needed.

Here's an example of what can go wrong: EGMONT STREET

In 2020 we took a lease on an apartment in that Egmont Street building. The apartment and the building seemed strong despite the earthquake warning notice posted on the front door. I feel sorry for the owners who have had to go for years now with uncertainty and changing requirements not to mention the financial penalties.

I've noticed from a quick look at Wellington apartments for sale that the body corporation or bodycorp rates differ wildly. We've owned apartments before in Auckland and are familiar with bodycorp arrangements. The different yearly costs have mostly been linked to the value of the apartment. In Wellington it seems that bodycorp costs differ mainly due to the earthquake safety rating of the building. It's the insurance cost that makes up the bulk of the costs. Instead of the $4k to $7k per yer that we've been used to, in Wellington yearly bodycorp costs can vary between $10k and $30k! 

We like older buildings and houses and the 1920s, 30s and 40s styles in Oriental Bay appeal. What won't appeal though is buying something that is unsafe or likely to bring with it a whopping great refurbishment bill further down the track - on top of ridiculously high bodycorp rates. Buying into a new, earthquake strengthened building is probably more sensible. That, or buying a townhouse without any bodycorp arrangements.

GETTING ON

We live and we die. That's the natural order of things.

It is, of course bad news when dying inevitably happens.We leave or are left behind by friends, loved ones and acquaintances who 'take' a bit of ourselves away. We all experience it although some experience it at a closer and deeper level than others.

Robert, in his latest post THOSE OF US WHO ARE LEFT recounts from both personal experience and the intimacies shared from conversing with others who have cared for and lost loved ones. This is well crafted and has a visceral and raw honesty element that goes beyond any trite observations and maudlin sentimentality. He writes about: feelings of guilt that we have at 'not doing more' (even when going beyond what would normally be required); of how onerous and tiring caregiving can be; of feelings of helplessness and uncertainty; but mostly of regret, emptiness and loneliness.

• We are the survivors. We went through the trauma of watching a loved one die. Some of us have done this twice. Maybe a son died then a husband. Maybe a wife then a daughter. 
• Caregiving became our world. Often we had no idea what to do or what the future held. We learnt as we went. Sometimes learning to do things others would think unimaginable.
• Eventually the end came. Mostly it was unexpected. Sooner than we expected. Sometimes it was inevitable, obvious.
• Like veterans we only speak of it among ourselves. We have a special bond , those that are left. We understand the flashbacks. The sudden spasm of tears. 
• The irony is that we would all do it again. Would it be easier a second time? I don't think so. But we would.

Powerful stuff that. That's bravery.

Me? I'd want to run away, to hide, to wait until it was all over but .... I know I wouldn't. We all have to 'get on' and do what's right and hopefully for the best.

Lynn was up most of the night having had an early morning call from a good friend, who lives in Scotland whose mother died last night. He had been caregiver for the last several years after she had a stroke. This followed on from losing his wife in 2015 (we attended the funeral in Glasgow). He put his career on hold while nursing his wife (they returned to Scotland from New Zealand in 2015 essentially for her to die amongst family) and later his mother and now he's at an age where it will be difficult and near impossible to pick up where he left off. Having sold up in Auckland 10 years ago and living on proceeds from the sale and other savings he won't be able to afford to return. He's one of those who are left. Lynn, through the night texted and emailed friends and contacts, arranged flowers and condolences and remotely held his hand.

Here's a post I wrote many years ago.

'GETTING ON'

 

FINDING SHIT OUT

Well fancy that (personally I don't), Richard's found another identity to populate his blog. It's some joker named Rick Tim Bagno who might be starting his own blog soon and linking to the Bass Bag Contortion.

"Boo! Ha ha - talk to you soon. Richard! Richie, I need a towel and hey! Can you scrub my back - again?"

It's nice for Richie ... sorry, Richard to have friends again since Robert abandoned him but I fear that Rick Tim is already showing too much interest in Robert and his previous posts so there might be tears soon.

The Curmudgeons Inc.ⓒ will keep you readers informed.

WHAT DID I DO TODAY?

Well, I didn't create another alter ego with a vile name like Richard did.

This morning I went into town to collect my new spectacles.

Now you'll remember that the eye surgery I had about 5 weeks ago, as a side-bonus, corrected my decades long short sightedness. The result and the benefit is wonderful. The problem was though that, while my long vision is close to 20:20 my close vision - for reading and computer work has necessitated me using reading or 'hobby' glasses. I bought those from the supermarket for $10 and from the pharmacy for about $25 but after trying different magnifications (1.75, 2.0 and 2.25) I couldn't find any that were totally comfortable. Making it worse I found t to be a hassle having to take the damned things off and putting them on again depending on tasks. Supermarket shopping and trying to type on a computer keyboard while watching TV was the worst.

I went to Specsavers and had an eye test and ordered a couple of pairs of specs with progressive lenses. The top part of the lenses are clear on one side and slightly magnified on the other to now make both eyes 20:20. The bottom part are at a magnification to make my short vision perfect or close to. Trying them today I'm well pleased at the result. Apropos of nothing here's what  the two new pairs of specs look like:

Alex Perry ones

Hugo ones

Hey! I'm happy.

*** COMING SOON*** ...

 ... A NEW AND BIG POST.

Be careful not to miss out.

Meanwhile, here's something to amuse you:

HOISTED BY HIS OWN PETARD 

That old and pedantic retired (almost) schoolteacher who hangs around these blogs, you know the one - he unfavourably critiques spelling, grammar and content of the blogs  ... well, to be fair, when it comes to Robert's blog that's a given but ... we caught him folks, we caught him. 

He thought that he was making a funny (read scathing) comment on my blog post and fucked it up with spelling and other grammatical errors.. have a look at this!

Ha ha, he was hoisted by his own petard!

A FILLER

The more alert reader will have noticed that there haven't been many The Curmudgeon posts on house maintenance over the last few weeks.

This is because the major things have been done and quite frankly I'm over being concerned at the minor ones. I guess that I'm in 'leaving mode'.

I only garden where necessary for cosmetic reasons to keep the place tidy and have no ambition (touch wood) to dig and delve in the basement.

I know this is bad news for readers who looked forward to posts and post series on:

• Doors and window frames reparation
• Under-house plumbing maintenance
• Under-house excavation
• Path paving and driveway re-gravelling
• Tip runs with the trailer
• Weeding, gardening, spraying and wasp control
• Home appliance repairs, maintenance and replacement
• etc.

Sorry about that but, if we sell and move these things will be in the past. If we do eventually move into a Wellington apartment or townhouse these things (hopefully) won't be an issue and I'll have to regale you with stories of body corp. complaints.

Updates on walks, golf and tennis will be continuing however so there is that. Tennis was out today though as The Old Girl decided to have a haircut  first thing - on a tennis day! In Wellington I'm hoping to find an 'oldies' tennis club to join although I very much doubt that I'll find one as easy-going as the one up here (regardless of arguments Richard). With regard to golf I'll check out Mornington Golf Club - the old Berhampore course where I played when I was at school. I'd like to join Mirimar Golf Club which is by the airport but it is closed for subscriptions at present pending the outcome of a council/airport acquisition plan for some of the course. They don't know how many holes will be affected and cannot set fees until that's sorted. I'm hoping that this means it will be a reduced course, quieter and hopefully cheaper as I generally only go out and play between 6 and 9 holes. Maybe Richard and Robert will join me for a game. Richard will no doubt cheat but it won't matter as we won't have a 'highest score' prize so he won't disadvantage himself. Robert will likely try and get his holy trinity to help him.