Te Wehengarua Conference

I hate rushing but that's just what I end up doing during conference. First world problem. At Interior Effects they start at 8. Not quite sure how they can be so cheery with such an early start, but they are, and so helpful and patient. I can recommend them to the world. I have chosen kitchen cupboard handles so the order is relatively easy. Just the Covid delay to negotiate. I stop at the house to open it up, air it out and dry the wood. The trees are exactly where I plonked them yesterday. They seem happy. I give them a pep talk and have a chat to Grant over the fence. I want him to know I'm trying to plant for privacy in case he rushes in and puts down evergreens which will block out my sun. Last summer I planted two different jasmines and a honeysuckle and we agree to put up a trellis which will lift the fence height so I can't look directly in to their backyard. Eventually it's going to be fragrant. The Japanese Maple and the Witch Hazel will add privacy but not in two minutes. They are medium size trees and should work for the long haul.

When I get to the Elms I catch my breath at the breakfast bar. I've done a heap of jobs... moonlighting, living a double life, working two jobs. 

I share coffee with Daniel, our Te Huarahi rep who is running Māori tikanga at Te Wai Pounamu, South Island end. The pōwhiri his first job. He's nervous and wielding an umbrella as a prop. In our seats the live zoom/telecast with the Brentwood in Wellington begins. A meeting within a meeting, sign of the times. We're all used to it, another sign of the times. Screens have become an integral part of our lives for better or for worse. Back to my double life, I run out at morning tea to see Pete and to ask about decking oil. He's not there but his corner is looking more ordered. Out on the streets Hana says it's not ordered. Traffic accidents and the son of a local business owner lost it and threatened the construction workers with a weapon. Disruption and chaos pushes us over the edge. 

Back at the Elms all is running smoothly. We have a day of meetings and lots of food in between. The cooks here excel themselves and the staff are super friendly. At the end of the day I take my regional committee mate, Bruce, who teaches woodwork and makes coffins, to my house. He looks and internalises. A quiet soul.