Category: Values

A year in the country (sort of)

A year in the country (sort of)

A year ago last week “Practical Completion” of my new build allowed me to insure my new home in the country and move in. It was the day of Mum and Dad’s 70th wedding anniversary so a big day all around. Quite a few things didn’t work – automation is a great thing until it’s not – but it was (and still is) sparkly and the views are really quite special. Lots of green, some sea, more green, farms, some livestock, and green. Oh, and gorgeous sunsets.

There seems to be two types of people in the country where I am – locals, who wave like I’m their best friend – and everyone wants to help – they really do – but most of the people waving are strangers who wave when I’m out walking. Then there’s those passing through to the beach, generally in a big rush to get there very quickly and then relax quickly I assume.

I didn’t really realise but building on the top of hill with a valley below has features in the country you might not necessarily think of. Or maybe I was a bit naive. Everyone can see you! Well not me personally or close up (I hope), but the house, what I’m doing on the land, and whether I have visitors. Walking and looking back up at my house it sticks out a lot more than when I’m looking out. And it’s not a massive house by any measure, but noticable.

“They’re watching what you’re doing Stephen” my local friend and farming advisor Philip tells me. “Watching what?“, “Well they like what you’re doing, making that land something, the planting, the silage and that sort of thing“. I hope they like it! Being a silage farmer isn’t exactly the sort of earning you might give up your day job for. More like getting paid (eventually) an amount that is similar to what you might pay to mow the grass.

As best as I can tell the last building to inhabit my site was a school in the 1940s, so I guess it’s something new. Building a home and making it just right seems to be a forever thing. Firstly, getting beyond “Practical Completion” to the elusive Code of Compliance Certificate is a topic for another day otherwise this blog might turn into something slightly less friendly! In the country on a little bit of land – yes everyone told me – it’s never done. Not like a satisfying few hours in a city house where the garden can be brought into shape, with time to wash the car and hose the driveway for good measure on a Sunday afternoon. Nope, it’s a journey.

And I’ve had to get my head around not every corner is always as I want it – in fact no corner is really. But I’ve got a massive list of mini and major projects and I just get at them when I can – one step at a time, and I can see a difference. I remember attending a session at Cornwall Park on their 100 year plan once and the vision that the designers have is awesome. I’m not that grand by any means but having a master plan has meant progress is actually not too bad, and helps me to relax about the bits that still need attention, or won’t get done until 2025 say.

The country – you can see further, and you need to think further too.

Stephen

Grandma’s Clock (Part 3) (or Give Yourself Time!)

Grandma’s Clock (Part 3) (or Give Yourself Time!)

Back in the day while staying at Grandma’s the clock was ever present, chiming every fifteen minutes and the announcing the hour with chimes on the hour. It seemed like Grandma never heard it – she slept through it all night while we seemed to be restless and eventually settled when Dad shoved a handkerchief in the mechanics to disrupt the timing mechanism.

I don’t remember exactly how I came to be the guardian of the clock, but it was put under the house in Kingsland in 1990 after Grandma died. It wasn’t working. It took ten years until I had the mechanism overhauled and assumed a pride of place in several houses. It stopped working again after several years and the verdict was “a complete overhaul” which I had completed.

When I recently moved, I forgot to take the weight out that you must do when moving a clock like this and it stopped working. So it was out to a watch and clock repairer in New Lynn for an overhaul. They agreed to also restore the wooden casing and the gold lettering and face. “Could be three months” I was warned. No problem I said. It was a year actually – the watchmaker who was to do the work sadly died – “quite inconvenient” I was told – but when I collected it recently it was an unexpected moment of joy. My very own “The Repair Shop” moment!

The watchmaker was as proud as I was satisfied

It’s got pride of place in the landing at my home and keeps almost perfect time. Living in a new modernist style home the chimes transport me to another place and time. A place of warmth, care, holiday excitement and the anticipation of what each day might hold – sometimes the amazing and quite new St Lukes Mall with its beads of water cascading down invisible plastic threads from ceiling to ground, Waiwera Hot Pools, Stanmore Bay for swimming, and the Auckland Zoo.

The original instruction booklet

I don’t really enjoy the burden of physical objects that might fit the category of “take if the house is burning down”, but I definitely have one now. Well two actually, but that’s for another day. For now, finally, it’s back to its former glory, functional, and permanently home. A contented feeling.

Stephen

The style of the Clock is known as a Striking Mantel Clock. It is “The Enfield Full Quarter Westminster Chime” and the instructions which I still have record “Give yourself Time!“. It appears to have been popular in the 1940s and 1950s when it is thought that Grandma and Grandad purchased the unit. You can purchase a good second-hand one for $600 in New Zealand, but if you want to restore one be prepared for a multiple of that figure! I am hopeful that one of my sons will one day take guardianship of it for another generation of memories. The Westminster Chimes come from Big Ben’s chimes in London.

Whānau time

Whānau time

It started when Thomas my eldest son arrived at the Airport after four and a half years in Europe. Walking into the terminal I told myself that I was good, I had been good during his departure, then cancelled trips due to Covid and then Cancer. But I felt it. “Are you okay Dad?”, not really, you? “no same for me too!” Then it was a booth breakfast with Thomas and his Mum and I. Twenty four hours ago working, looking after his family, now jammed in the booth, being grilled and given pocket money! It was a great start.

My next son Tim had a big birthday a couple of days later, then it was Dad’s 90th, a trip to Christchurch and a most special celebration – Mum and Dad’s 70th Wedding Anniversary.

Grandma had declined permission for Dad to marry when he was nineteen. You can’t blame her really. But on turning twenty, it was off to the Christchurch Registry Office a few days later in Manchester Street – midweek – and nuptials. Smiles all around and the happy couple settled in Christchurch where they still live. Mum’s still an Aucklander though “that easterly wind always gets you”, and as a family we had many happy holidays at Stanmore Bay, Whangaparaoa.

About 20 marriages a year make it to 70 years in New Zealand. No wonder you can’t find the pre-printed cards at Whitcoulls!

So what are Mum and Dad secrets: good genes, garden vegetables, sugar-infused bottled fruit, boysenberry ice cream, wholemeal bread, married young and keep a healthy bit of disagreement going on are my observations. When I interviewed Mum in advance of the big day she said having your own interests was really important. Fiercely independent was what it felt like as a child. Dad said Mum’s insights on money were really important, he said she was usually right in hindsight. Pocket money for Dad is what we saw.

We had 55 people join us to celebrate the big day All whanau. It felt rich and full.

Then it was my turn – move into my new house, a big birthday and a Whakawātea for friends, neighbours and those involved in the construction.

Going back to work I felt replete. A real turbo boost of those most special to me.

Think I need another break now!

Stephen

-I really did interview Mum and Dad. Some family were present. It was the conversation you won’t ever wish you had. I’ve done a few interviews in my time. This was beyond special.

-Statistics available on marriage length indicate that in the US about .001 of marriages make 70 years. About 20,000 marriages take place annually in New Zealand.

    Nearly over

    Nearly over

    I had a sense of slight disappointment when someone texted me to say that most of our restrictions were about to end. I was doing something very mundane – collecting my car from servicing – which almost felt normal although the “service” manager certainly kept his distance.

    I’m watching the film Vicky Cristina Barcelona which at its heart is like many other Woody Allen films – about being yourself – at a level of authenticity beyond which we typically engage with in leadership.

    Lockdown has been a real gift for me I feel. Firstly, to engage in structure – I’ve talked of that before – but also in deep thought on what matters. At a basic level we didn’t have a chance to have any new “things” for several weeks. Did we feel any loss for that? I doubt it. Did we actually enjoy and embrace more of what we have? I think so. Which might not bode well for the local economy if we realise we don’t need so many new things. Or even takeaway coffee. The $65 home machine is just fine! 

    We’ll kinda go back to work if we want to next week, but we don’t have to – we can work at home still – and I suspect many of us will. Some will say they’re being cautious about the ‘rona, but I reckon some of us will stay at home because we like it more. In seven short weeks we’ve actually embraced, enjoyed and thrived in it. I think at a deeper level of personal growth about my own purpose I’ve thrived. I’ve also got far more from my work than the everyday normality – which for me is never too routine – but this was another level.

    iStock-1183183769.jpg

    There’s a scene in Vicky Cristina Barcelona where Vicky is out to dinner in Barcelona with her fiancé and another couple. The other three are in excited conversation about A/V systems, the latest high-def television, interior designers et al, for their new homes. Vicky gazes in the distance, dreaming of the meaningful life she could – should –  have in Barcelona, in art, with a man she’s passionate about, living life to its full richness.

    It’s easy to get caught up in what appears to matter but if I take anything out of the reflections I’ve had in Lockdown it’s to never forget what really matters. They’re not just “to dos”. They’re everything. And only you can work that fundamental purpose question.

    Barcelona still beckons.

    Stephen