Ten days ago I drove up the driveway of Tarureka - my new house/houses/estate - difficult to know what sort of label to put on it. I think I went into shock - good shock - but shock nevertheless. I was not expecting it to be so wonderful and overwhelming. After two hours of walking around it, I had still only covered half of the gardens and the house took a long time to explore. I didn't get round to the stables for a few days. It really doesn't feel as if I own it, but maybe I have taken on the role of guardian for a while.
For the last 10 days I have been sooo busy. Mad panic to buy furniture (8 beds!), organise lawnmowing, cleaning and learning how to turn a homestay around in one hour, getting the hang of bookings - oh the terror of double booking! We have had a wedding (wonderful) and several homestay groups.
Today so far I have had visits and consultations with: the fire alarm man, the lawnmower man, the carrier for my new beds, the carrier for my big trees in pots, my friend Gilly and her stepdaughter Rosie. I've also taken several new bookings and set up hoses to water the pots. Plus turned on endless watering systems and washed sheets. This afternoon I have to contact a plumber, an electrician, the
local laundry (no more washing sheets) and help the bed man carry the beds upstairs (right now he is driving round Wellington picking them up, poor man). More furniture is due at 5 pm. I am channeling Sybil and Basil right now! I have developed a new sympathy for them.I also have to track down a tennis net, croquet set and boules - sadly the former owners took all that. Hopefully things will settle down soon and I can visit my lovely friends and have a coffee at the French Baker!
Good news is that my stuff from Oz has cleared customs and should arrive any day.
Above is Lola Rose's garden - it is for Danilia's little niece Lola Rose who was only on this earth for a very short time, but affected us all deeply. This garden belongs to her. I am trying to track down the rose Lolita to plant there.
