Archive for December, 2011

A Sick day or Two

Saturday, December 31st, 2011
Dear Peg and Friends,
Just when though I thought medical things in my world were going well, I woke the other morning with a dull pain in my abdomen. This was not  good, it shouldn’t be. Being holiday time I didn’t hold out hope, but gave my doctor a call to make an appointment for a consultation. Couldn’t get one? Not possible either, until end of that day. So I did what I had been told to do,. if you think the situation is serious enough, dial the emergency 24 hours clinic. While I was doing this, my girls took matters into their own hands, went over my head and called the Ambulance Emergency Service, and dialled 111. Much quicker and no fuss. Money doesn’t even come into this situation, as I still have medical insurance, however because of my, age I’m now considering of dropping this cover, it’s getting prohibitively expensive .
More to the point, very quickly there was an ambulance at the door. Test after test in my lounge, it was then deemed necessary to transport me to Hospital, for further tests. Whatever an ambulance is, comfort doesn’t seem to come with all it’s other attributes. This vehicle which seemed to be new, rode like a farm dray. However once settled safely in the Accident and Emergency Department, a battery of further tests were ordered. I couldn’t fault the service within the Hospital. But what did happen was, I was getting a whole bunch of tests, all condensed into the space of one day.
I was very uncomfortable, perched on a narrow hard bed, in a screened off area. No malingering here. For the day I wasn’t being offered any food or drink. The doctors came to the conclusion that after I had been poked and pummelled for five hours, that I had nothing seriously wrong that could kill me, but anyway was given an antibiotic to take care of any infection that I had in my stomach or intestines. This was the cause of much tittering which was on going on as a prescription was written out. This being the festive season. The Chemist told me later the antibiotic was given, was a cousin of Antibuse, and if I touched alcohol while on this regime, I would immediately throw up.
I was sent home with my Patients Paper Bag containing all my bits and pieces with the  inconclusive prognosis. ‘not solved’. But as they said, in most cases the body cures itself.
I came into this world wearing napkins, and I now know I will depart much in the same way. There is nothing wrong with my water works, except I now require more time when I make a visit to the toilet. My body is not prepared to wait or stand for any procrastination. So I have resorted to the wearing of paper pants. This is to take care of the odd occasion when I have what are loosely called, accidents. These days I am also suffering too many accidents in this department,
Love to all from Christchurch,
Wally

Just when though I thought medical things in my world were going well, I woke the other morning with a dull pain in my abdomen. This was not  good, it shouldn’t be. Being holiday time I didn’t hold out hope, but gave my doctor a call to make an appointment for a consultation. Couldn’t get one? Not possible either, until end of that day. So I did what I had been told to do,. if you think the situation is serious enough, dial the emergency 24 hours clinic. While I was doing this, my girls took matters into their own hands, went over my head and called the Ambulance Emergency Service, and dialled 111. Much quicker and no fuss. Money doesn’t even come into this situation, as I still have medical insurance, however because of my, age I’m now considering of dropping this cover, it’s getting prohibitively expensive .

More to the point, very quickly there was an ambulance at the door. Test after test in my lounge, it was then deemed necessary to transport me to Hospital, for further tests. Whatever an ambulance is, comfort doesn’t seem to come with all it’s other attributes. This vehicle which seemed to be new, rode like a farm dray. However once settled safely in the Accident and Emergency Department, a battery of further tests were ordered. I couldn’t fault the service within the Hospital. But what did happen was, I was getting a whole bunch of tests, all condensed into the space of one day.

I was very uncomfortable, perched on a narrow hard bed, in a screened off area. No malingering here. For the day I wasn’t being offered any food or drink. The doctors came to the conclusion that after I had been poked and pummelled for five hours, that I had nothing seriously wrong that could kill me, but anyway was given an antibiotic to take care of any infection that I had in my stomach or intestines. This was the cause of much tittering which was on going on as a prescription was written out. This being the festive season. The Chemist told me later the antibiotic was given, was a cousin of Antibuse, and if I touched alcohol while on this regime, I would immediately throw up.

I was sent home with my Patients Paper Bag containing all my bits and pieces with the  inconclusive prognosis. ‘not solved’. But as they said, in most cases the body cures itself.

I came into this world wearing napkins, and I now know I will depart much in the same way. There is nothing wrong with my water works, except I now require more time when I make a visit to the toilet. My body is not prepared to wait or stand for any procrastination. So I have resorted to the wearing of paper pants. This is to take care of the odd occasion when I have what are loosely called, accidents. These days I am also suffering too many accidents in this department,

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Gourmet Meals

Tuesday, December 20th, 2011
Dear Peg and Friends,
I have plenty of time these days to think over  times past, I have been mulling over in my mind, some of the more memorable meals I have enjoyed. I don’t wish to confine my gastronomic memories  only to be found in New Zealand. Sure I have eaten many outstanding meals here, but without exception they all seem in the main’ to be prepared by foreign women. One meal that stands out is a Moroccan Peasant’s dish called couscous. It has little to do with the ‘grain’ couscous, although it is included as a side dish. I have watched it being prepared in New Caledonia, having found it’s way there through though the French Foreign Legion, and the territories where they operated. Initially I wondered how it was going to turn out. This was after I saw a full handful of garlic being casually tossed into the tagine. Basically it’s a mixture of various meats, chicken, pork, mutton, beef, and perhaps even a Camel. In fact every household seems to have the only correct recipe, which each claim that theirs is. After an hour cooking with seasoned stock, Raisins, Chick Peas, Root Vegetables are added, together with a large slurp of spicy chilli sauce. The result is outstanding, and seeing the Chilli is added by the diner, you have control over the heat factor.
Another Meal that stood out was a young goat cooked by Jacqueline Montagnat. It had come from a game farm where a cull was in progress. I don’t know what spices she added, but it did have a delightful taste and I did see her finish it off, and thicken the gravy, with a blanquette of egg yokes.
I suppose of all of he New Zealand dishes that I have enjoyed ‘Ox Tail Stew’, would rate number one. With lamb shanks a second but unfortunately both these dishes are now being exploited by the fine dining restaurants. These dishes must be cooked twice to reduce the amount of fat that is present. Most of the fat after the inital cook will rise to the top of the dish, and can be easily removed when cold next day, then the cooking is finished off. The spice used for this dish are whole cloves.
Another favourite of mine is oyster soup. There is a trick to the preparation of this meal. Basically it is a fish soup, with stock made from a couple of grouper heads if you can find them. I do see them for sale at ‘Pac and Save’ from time to time. When the soup is prepared and seasoned,  guests are seated, then and only then, are the oysters added. They should not be left in the hot soup longer than two to three minutes. This means the oysters are not really cooked, but only heated through. However only you know this.
You either like Chinese Parsley, also known as Cilantro, or you hate it. If you belong to the like it brigade. The next meal exploits it to the full. I came across this dish overseas, and it’s delightful. I think too it belongs to the memorable meals sector. I’m not sure, but I think it’s origin is Indonesia, Javanese, or even Viet Nam. It also seems have several names, but more often it is just called ‘Nems’ or something that sounds similar. It is filled rolls with the usual fillings, such as crab or shrimp. Then rolled up in rice paper, and deep fried. It is served with a dipping sauce of Chinese Parsley, and the fish sauce. ‘Nubc Mam kim Dong’. this too is one the main ingredients, and used lavishly. Many folk don’t like fish sauce either. On its own it has a very strong fish smell. But with a little added soy sauce, a little sugar, and enough hot water to dissolve the sugar, I really can’t get enough, as all the flavours merge wonderfully. I noticed too how the Nems are eaten, each Nem is rolled in a lettuce leaf. With such exotic flavours, you can turn an ordinary meal into a feast.
I like steak too but it has to be cooked right. Top of the list would have to be Chateaubriand.  ‘Up Stairs and the Down Stairs’, a Restaurant in Queenstown, had a chef who cooked it to perfection. As it was the whole tenderloin, it was a dish that needed to be shared with one other. I like my meat slightly carbonised on the outside, and  towards rare on the inside. The Queenstown restaurant served it up with only cream poured onto the pan drippings, when making the sauce.  Accompanied with a lettuce salad, garlic vinaigrette, and chipped potatoes, I consider it’s the only way to serve a steak.
Another meal I enjoy if I can find it, and that’s  groper throats and tongues. I know it sounds strange, but it is the number one fish dish to cook, if you can get your hands on enough grouper heads. To get this dish, you needed to know a fisherman, or be a kissing cousin of the fish shop proprietor. We managed it a lot when there was many ‘in Shore’ fishermen still working the grouper beds. For many years we lived in sea ports. I have never stopped looking for a supply, and occasionally I get lucky. The last occasion was a Family fish shop Aspro’s in Oamaru. The traditional way is to serve it, is in a thick white sauce.
Is this all? Of course not. There are hundreds of meals out there unmentioned by this letter, not all five star, true. But certainly four star. Liver and Bacon, Hamburgers, and I haven’t even touched on Eastern meals. Chinese, Japanese Korean. Fortunately  today you don’t even have to go outside this City to try any of these, or all of them. You can find all these meals as we have, here right in our City, All being prepared by ethnic cooks. Right now I’m looking for a Chinese Restaurant that serves a ‘Steam Boat’. We had one Restaurant that before the earthquake that featured this dish, but it has been forced to relocate.
Love from Christchurch,
Wally
I have plenty of time these days to think over  times past, I have been mulling over in my mind, some of the more memorable meals I have enjoyed. I don’t wish to confine my gastronomic memories  only to be found in New Zealand. Sure I have eaten many outstanding meals here, but without exception they all seem in the main’ to be prepared by foreign women. One meal that stands out is a Moroccan Peasant’s dish called couscous. It has little to do with the ‘grain’ couscous, although it is included as a side dish. I have watched it being prepared in New Caledonia, having found it’s way there through though the French Foreign Legion, and the territories where they operated. Initially I wondered how it was going to turn out. This was after I saw a full handful of garlic being casually tossed into the tagine. Basically it’s a mixture of various meats, chicken, pork, mutton, beef, and perhaps even a Camel. In fact every household seems to have the only correct recipe, which each claim that theirs is. After an hour cooking with seasoned stock, Raisins, Chick Peas, Root Vegetables are added, together with a large slurp of spicy chilli sauce. The result is outstanding, and seeing the Chilli is added by the diner, you have control over the heat factor.
Another Meal that stood out was a young goat cooked by Jacqueline Montagnat. It had come from a game farm where a cull was in progress. I don’t know what spices she added, but it did have a delightful taste and I did see her finish it off, and thicken the gravy, with a blanquette of egg yokes.
I suppose of all of he New Zealand dishes that I have enjoyed ‘Ox Tail Stew’, would rate number one. With lamb shanks a second but unfortunately both these dishes are now being exploited by the fine dining restaurants. These dishes must be cooked twice to reduce the amount of fat that is present. Most of the fat after the inital cook will rise to the top of the dish, and can be easily removed when cold next day, then the cooking is finished off. The spice used for this dish are whole cloves.
Another favourite of mine is oyster soup. There is a trick to the preparation of this meal. Basically it is a fish soup, with stock made from a couple of grouper heads if you can find them. I do see them for sale at ‘Pac and Save’ from time to time. When the soup is prepared and seasoned,  guests are seated, then and only then, are the oysters added. They should not be left in the hot soup longer than two to three minutes. This means the oysters are not really cooked, but only heated through. However only you know this.
You either like Chinese Parsley, also known as Cilantro, or you hate it. If you belong to the like it brigade. The next meal exploits it to the full. I came across this dish overseas, and it’s delightful. I think too it belongs to the memorable meals sector. I’m not sure, but I think it’s origin is Indonesia, Javanese, or even Viet Nam. It also seems have several names, but more often it is just called ‘Nems’ or something that sounds similar. It is filled rolls with the usual fillings, such as crab or shrimp. Then rolled up in rice paper, and deep fried. It is served with a dipping sauce of Chinese Parsley, and the fish sauce. ‘Nubc Mam kim Dong’. this too is one the main ingredients, and used lavishly. Many folk don’t like fish sauce either. On its own it has a very strong fish smell. But with a little added soy sauce, a little sugar, and enough hot water to dissolve the sugar, I really can’t get enough, as all the flavours merge wonderfully. I noticed too how the Nems are eaten, each Nem is rolled in a lettuce leaf. With such exotic flavours, you can turn an ordinary meal into a feast.
I like steak too but it has to be cooked right. Top of the list would have to be Chateaubriand.  ‘Up Stairs and the Down Stairs’, a Restaurant in Queenstown, had a chef who cooked it to perfection. As it was the whole tenderloin, it was a dish that needed to be shared with one other. I like my meat slightly carbonised on the outside, and  towards rare on the inside. The Queenstown restaurant served it up with only cream poured onto the pan drippings, when making the sauce.  Accompanied with a lettuce salad, garlic vinaigrette, and chipped potatoes, I consider it’s the only way to serve a steak.
Another meal I enjoy if I can find it, and that’s  groper throats and tongues. I know it sounds strange, but it is the number one fish dish to cook, if you can get your hands on enough grouper heads. To get this dish, you needed to know a fisherman, or be a kissing cousin of the fish shop proprietor. We managed it a lot when there was many ‘in Shore’ fishermen still working the grouper beds. For many years we lived in sea ports. I have never stopped looking for a supply, and occasionally I get lucky. The last occasion was a Family fish shop Aspro’s in Oamaru. The traditional way is to serve it, is in a thick white sauce.
Is this all? Of course not. There are hundreds of meals out there unmentioned by this letter, not all five star, true. But certainly four star. Liver and Bacon, Hamburgers, and I haven’t even touched on Eastern meals. Chinese, Japanese Korean. Fortunately  today you don’t even have to go outside this City to try any of these, or all of them. You can find all these meals as we have, here right in our City, All being prepared by ethnic cooks. Right now I’m looking for a Chinese Restaurant that serves a ‘Steam Boat’. We had one Restaurant that before the earthquake that featured this dish, but it has been forced to relocate.

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Mall shopping

Wednesday, December 14th, 2011
Dear Peg and Friends,
You don’t need to be a genius to see that the Cities of today are being set up to fail. Here we have two systems, both alongside one another, and both vying to get the largest slice of the cake. The Malls of today, are the ideal set up for easy shopping. They provide for all the shoppers needs. Free Parking, Toilets, and excellent Food Courts. As well, easy access to a variety of shops. They are a novel late arrival to the shopping scene, and providing they have a strong Anchor tenant, they will always be better, and one of the most preferred trading sites of any City. Forty years ago this concept of shopping didn’t even exist, but then again there wasn’t a problem with the motor vehicles either.
The City on the other hand, because they already have an infrastructure in place, which had been constructed over a hundred years or more. Because of this, their options were limited, when a earthquake rearranged our landscape. They are struggling even to maintain the status quo. Their parking is limited, and of the little that’s available, it’s only there because of the continued enforcement by the hated parking wardens. The rate they charge for this, is what ever they can get away with. Normally the revenue collected is barely enough to pay the employees, and yet no one is happy. If you wish to compete with the ‘Johnie come lately’, that’s the Mall. You have at least match the service that is being already provided by the Malls. However the recent earthquakes have given Christchurch another chance, to wipe their slate clean, and to make a fresh start.
This is not a problem that’s peculiar to Christchurch. I have noticed that in Australia,  Gosford in NSW in particular. It would be a prime example of this shopping phenomena and what can happen to near by towns. Or again, even on the West Coast of America. Exactly the same situation exists. However now in Christchurch seeing we now have been given another chance to do something about the Parking problems. With the damage left by the earthquakes, half of the buildings in the CBD have been destroyed or leveled. For a reasonable sum, it should now be possible to buy bare land to provide the missing element and give the authorities a chance to compete, and provide the missing component, Parking.
I mentioned Gosford earlier where they have built a ‘stand alone’ shopping complex about ten kilometres from to town centre. It’s presence has badly effected the trading in the old town. We found on our last visit every other shop in the town had closed.
When the Malls initially arrived on the scene, they behaved very badly. They killed off the small butcher, green grocer, baker, and fish monger. They immediately instituted a price war that was impossible to compete, and one by one the small traders were picked off and cast aside.
Today the small trader is fighting back possibly with the aid of the Farmers Markets. we now have the choice of speciality butchers, and vegetable outlets, so we have the best of both worlds
Love from Christchurch,
Wally
You don’t need to be a genius to see that the Cities of today are being set up to fail. Here we have two systems, both alongside one another, and both vying to get the largest slice of the cake. The Malls of today, are the ideal set up for easy shopping. They provide for all the shoppers needs. Free Parking, Toilets, and excellent Food Courts. As well, easy access to a variety of shops. They are a novel late arrival to the shopping scene, and providing they have a strong Anchor tenant, they will always be better, and one of the most preferred trading sites of any City. Forty years ago this concept of shopping didn’t even exist, but then again there wasn’t a problem with the motor vehicles either.
The City on the other hand, because they already have an infrastructure in place, which had been constructed over a hundred years or more. Because of this, their options were limited, when a earthquake rearranged our landscape. They are struggling even to maintain the status quo. Their parking is limited, and of the little that’s available, it’s only there because of the continued enforcement by the hated parking wardens. The rate they charge for this, is what ever they can get away with. Normally the revenue collected is barely enough to pay the employees, and yet no one is happy. If you wish to compete with the ‘Johnie come lately’, that’s the Mall. You have at least match the service that is being already provided by the Malls. However the recent earthquakes have given Christchurch another chance, to wipe their slate clean, and to make a fresh start.
This is not a problem that’s peculiar to Christchurch. I have noticed that in Australia,  Gosford in NSW in particular. It would be a prime example of this shopping phenomena and what can happen to near by towns. Or again, even on the West Coast of America. Exactly the same situation exists. However now in Christchurch seeing we now have been given another chance to do something about the Parking problems. With the damage left by the earthquakes, half of the buildings in the CBD have been destroyed or leveled. For a reasonable sum, it should now be possible to buy bare land to provide the missing element and give the authorities a chance to compete, and provide the missing component, Parking.
I mentioned Gosford earlier where they have built a ‘stand alone’ shopping complex about ten kilometres from to town centre. It’s presence has badly effected the trading in the old town. We found on our last visit every other shop in the town had closed.
When the Malls initially arrived on the scene, they behaved very badly. They killed off the small butcher, green grocer, baker, and fish monger. They immediately instituted a price war that was impossible to compete, and one by one the small traders were picked off and cast aside.
Today the small trader is fighting back possibly with the aid of the Farmers Markets. we now have the choice of speciality butchers, and vegetable outlets, so we have the best of both worlds

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Poor People

Sunday, December 11th, 2011
Dear Peg and Family,
Today, today there is much talk about the ‘Poor People’ of our country. I have to ask, so I can understand what exactly are we talking about? What is the criteria that defines one, as a poor person? Regardless what the State considers poor. I  consider myself to be one of one of the poor. In saying this, I have never yet made a visit to a food Bank run by Salvation Army, or the City Mission. It does mean that the State and I have different ideas on what makes ones financially secure. In other words with your current income, can you make ends meet? In the States eyes, it would seem I have got it wrong, I have always been defined as a rich person. The State says that I don’t qualify for any of their freebies, not one. And further, I never have. I can’t get a community card, which would enable me to get my foot inside the door and get my hands on some of the goodies the Government doles out to those they deem poor. I’m also committed to pay $40,000 per annum, just to keep my wife in care in a home. So I must be rich. However I nearly forgot one concession, I can ride on Council bus after 9-00am for free, but then again, seeing that I don’t use buses, or have any need to do so. This doesn’t mean that very much anyway, rich folk don’t ride buses.
To get some idea this letter is all about. It’s about what amenities you are allowed before you find the line that’s drawn in the sand, that says you are poor? Our perception of this status, changes from day to day. Remember that only yesterday something that could be regarded as a luxury item, and today it’s a necessity. Take refrigeration, it has to be a necessity. It protects your families health, and food from spoiling. As well, their unit price for refrigerators have dropped. Television, that too would have to be a ‘Yes’ again. But this does not include ‘Sky’ pay television. Too many people who are on a benefit regard ‘pay television’ as a necessity. My view is if you want this amenity, you will have to give up something else. To get some idea of how popular this is. Just look for the number of satellite dishes fastened on roofs of the State homes.
In my eyes Telephones are not a necessity either, call boxes can serve the needs of any beneficiary, or someone on a limited income. The installation of a phone in a home is a luxury, and not really necessary. We should know, as we managed very well for most of our lives without any phone. You would have a hard job selling that idea to the young, kids today have at least two mobile phones. Cars are a necessity too. No child walks to school these days. If you don’t believe me, drive past any school at 8-30am or 3-00pm.
The disadvantaged (This is the group that send their kids off to school without breakfast) They don’t have or need to buy the family expensive packaged or processed breakfast foods. Porridge, the stuff we were brought up on, costs only a few cents a serve. It’s not popular, with a negative advertising campaign run by the processed breakfast food people. They have done everything in their power to discredit basic porridge, and have made sure that it will never again regain the popularity it had in my youth. It was given a further strong shove off the stage by ‘Uncle Toby’ or someone similar. You can tell this by the amount of space allocated in the supermarkets for ‘Cooked Breakfast Foods’.
When you search for rolled oats and the like. Don’t bother looking for Oatmeal or Creamota. Uncle Toby has also purchased these companies, who just happened to manufacture Creamota, they then closed them down.
I had a smile recently when talking to Pam Mackenzie, (formally Pam Robertson). Her husband Neil is so keen on his oatmeal. (That’s plain oatmeal) That he searched Christchurch in vain for a supply of those basic ground oats. When he found that it was no longer available from his supermarket. He kept on searching and at last found one grocer could would supply it. But he has had to purchase a three bushel sack, a minimum for any purchase.
If our poor of today could compare their situation with what is called ‘Poor’ of any of the third world Countries, they would to their surprise find that their standard of living they enjoy, would put them into the top 10% in the world. No matter how bad they think things are, there will never be any need for them to go to bed hungry.
Love from Christchurch,
Wally
Today, today there is much talk about the ‘Poor People’ of our country. I have to ask, so I can understand what exactly are we talking about? What is the criteria that defines one, as a poor person? Regardless what the State considers poor. I  consider myself to be one of one of the poor. In saying this, I have never yet made a visit to a food Bank run by Salvation Army, or the City Mission. It does mean that the State and I have different ideas on what makes ones financially secure. In other words with your current income, can you make ends meet? In the States eyes, it would seem I have got it wrong, I have always been defined as a rich person. The State says that I don’t qualify for any of their freebies, not one. And further, I never have. I can’t get a community card, which would enable me to get my foot inside the door and get my hands on some of the goodies the Government doles out to those they deem poor. I’m also committed to pay $40,000 per annum, just to keep my wife in care in a home. So I must be rich. However I nearly forgot one concession, I can ride on Council bus after 9-00am for free, but then again, seeing that I don’t use buses, or have any need to do so. This doesn’t mean that very much anyway, rich folk don’t ride buses.
To get some idea this letter is all about. It’s about what amenities you are allowed before you find the line that’s drawn in the sand, that says you are poor? Our perception of this status, changes from day to day. Remember that only yesterday something that could be regarded as a luxury item, and today it’s a necessity. Take refrigeration, it has to be a necessity. It protects your families health, and food from spoiling. As well, their unit price for refrigerators have dropped. Television, that too would have to be a ‘Yes’ again. But this does not include ‘Sky’ pay television. Too many people who are on a benefit regard ‘pay television’ as a necessity. My view is if you want this amenity, you will have to give up something else. To get some idea of how popular this is. Just look for the number of satellite dishes fastened on roofs of the State homes.
In my eyes Telephones are not a necessity either, call boxes can serve the needs of any beneficiary, or someone on a limited income. The installation of a phone in a home is a luxury, and not really necessary. We should know, as we managed very well for most of our lives without any phone. You would have a hard job selling that idea to the young, kids today have at least two mobile phones. Cars are a necessity too. No child walks to school these days. If you don’t believe me, drive past any school at 8-30am or 3-00pm.
The disadvantaged (This is the group that send their kids off to school without breakfast) They don’t have or need to buy the family expensive packaged or processed breakfast foods. Porridge, the stuff we were brought up on, costs only a few cents a serve. It’s not popular, with a negative advertising campaign run by the processed breakfast food people. They have done everything in their power to discredit basic porridge, and have made sure that it will never again regain the popularity it had in my youth. It was given a further strong shove off the stage by ‘Uncle Toby’ or someone similar. You can tell this by the amount of space allocated in the supermarkets for ‘Cooked Breakfast Foods’.
When you search for rolled oats and the like. Don’t bother looking for Oatmeal or Creamota. Uncle Toby has also purchased these companies, who just happened to manufacture Creamota, they then closed them down.
I had a smile recently when talking to Pam Mackenzie, (formally Pam Robertson). Her husband Neil is so keen on his oatmeal. (That’s plain oatmeal) That he searched Christchurch in vain for a supply of those basic ground oats. When he found that it was no longer available from his supermarket. He kept on searching and at last found one grocer could would supply it. But he has had to purchase a three bushel sack, a minimum for any purchase.
If our poor of today could compare their situation with what is called ‘Poor’ of any of the third world Countries, they would to their surprise find that their standard of living they enjoy, would put them into the top 10% in the world. No matter how bad they think things are, there will never be any need for them to go to bed hungry.

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National

Thursday, December 1st, 2011
Dear Peg and Friends,
Now the Election of parliamentary candidates is over and they have either got themselves elected, or rejected. So I cast my mind back to recall an incident that happened to me, and in keeping with what we have been putting up, months of political hopefuls, ear bashing us incessantly for months. It certainly has a political flavour.
The occasion that comes to mind, was when we were in a queue of cars at the Nevis Bluff waiting for the road to open. It was raining and real miserable outside. To give you some background. We were subject to frequent slips at the this choke point. When this happened and it did far too often. the road was then closed. Sometimes only for a day, and sometimes for weeks. It was a source of constant annoyance, as the detour we needed to take, added an extra 100km onto our journey. But from time to time when the road was closed, the Works Department opened the road for an hour or so at night, to let locals through without them taking the alternative detour. While we waiting on one particular occasion for the road to open, there was a tap on my window, I opened it to find a male face with water streaming down it. ‘Did I have a tow rope’? this fellow inquired. When I replied that I did. Then I asked, ‘Are you local?’, he said he was. As I wanted my rope back. So I asked him, ‘Would he return the rope to me, care of the National Bank when he was finished with it’? He replied ‘Bloody National, I really hate the bastards. I have never voted National in all my life’. So I said, ‘Well I’m sorry about that’, ‘That my tow rope upsets you so much’. ‘Why don’t you just keep on walking, and see if you can find yourself a ‘Labour’ rope’, and wound up my window. End of story. My wife’s face said all, so I got out of the car and fished in the boot to find the rope. A couple of days later, this oaf showed just what happens to ‘National’ tow ropes. He wound the rope into a Gordian Knot, around the balcony of the Branch that took some time to retrieve.
On writing this I was reminded of a trip Beth and I made to Auckland to buy an Aquarius Trailer Sailer. As we passed through Wellington we made arrangements with the Railway Office to tentatively book space for the yet to be purchased yacht that we would hopefully be bringing with us on our return journey. We purchased the yacht, then struck a problem as we had not taken ‘God’ into our plans. The Wakatipu Yacht Club had given this particular Railway employee this sobriquet as he was so obstructive to one and all. Anytime we moved our boats South he made trouble. Anyway he parked us in a lane on our own, with the promise to stay there. ‘You  may get loaded’. ‘I’m sorry the office is shut’. ‘I can’t do anything now’. There is no record of you booking space. Should after all these cars are loaded, and there is still enough space, you can go, if not, you can’t. So when it got dark I decided to do something about the situation myself. It was raining hard, so I ran down each line of cars, I tapped on each Car’s window in turn and told them. ‘That they were all facing the wrong way’. ‘In your own time. Please turn your car around, and line up behind that yacht’. I must have sounded good, where once, we were the last vehicles. We were now in the front. God himself returned just in time to load the Ferry. If he thought that something had changed in his line up. He was right, but this late stage he didn’t wish to do anything about it, or rearrange again a hundred cars or so. Something I had done so effortless. We were first to go on board.
Love from Christchurch,
Wally
Now the Election of parliamentary candidates is over and they have either got themselves elected, or rejected. So I cast my mind back to recall an incident that happened to me, and in keeping with what we have been putting up, months of political hopefuls, ear bashing us incessantly for months. It certainly has a political flavour.
The occasion that comes to mind, was when we were in a queue of cars at the Nevis Bluff waiting for the road to open. It was raining and real miserable outside. To give you some background. We were subject to frequent slips at the this choke point. When this happened and it did far too often. the road was then closed. Sometimes only for a day, and sometimes for weeks. It was a source of constant annoyance, as the detour we needed to take, added an extra 100km onto our journey. But from time to time when the road was closed, the Works Department opened the road for an hour or so at night, to let locals through without them taking the alternative detour. While we waiting on one particular occasion for the road to open, there was a tap on my window, I opened it to find a male face with water streaming down it. ‘Did I have a tow rope’? this fellow inquired. When I replied that I did. Then I asked, ‘Are you local?’, he said he was. As I wanted my rope back. So I asked him, ‘Would he return the rope to me, care of the National Bank when he was finished with it’? He replied ‘Bloody National, I really hate the bastards. I have never voted National in all my life’. So I said, ‘Well I’m sorry about that’, ‘That my tow rope upsets you so much’. ‘Why don’t you just keep on walking, and see if you can find yourself a ‘Labour’ rope’, and wound up my window. End of story. My wife’s face said all, so I got out of the car and fished in the boot to find the rope. A couple of days later, this oaf showed just what happens to ‘National’ tow ropes. He wound the rope into a Gordian Knot, around the balcony of the Branch that took some time to retrieve.
On writing this I was reminded of a trip Beth and I made to Auckland to buy an Aquarius Trailer Sailer. As we passed through Wellington we made arrangements with the Railway Office to tentatively book space for the yet to be purchased yacht that we would hopefully be bringing with us on our return journey. We purchased the yacht, then struck a problem as we had not taken ‘God’ into our plans. The Wakatipu Yacht Club had given this particular Railway employee this sobriquet as he was so obstructive to one and all. Anytime we moved our boats South he made trouble. Anyway he parked us in a lane on our own, with the promise to stay there. ‘You  may get loaded’. ‘I’m sorry the office is shut’. ‘I can’t do anything now’. There is no record of you booking space. Should after all these cars are loaded, and there is still enough space, you can go, if not, you can’t. So when it got dark I decided to do something about the situation myself. It was raining hard, so I ran down each line of cars, I tapped on each Car’s window in turn and told them.  ‘Sorry but you are facing the wrong way’. ‘In your own time. Please turn your car around, and line up behind that yacht’. I must have sounded good, where once, we were the last vehicles. We were now in the front. God himself returned just in time to load the Ferry. If he thought that something had changed in his line up. He was right, but this late stage he didn’t wish to do anything about it, or rearrange again a hundred cars or so. Something I had done so effortless. We were first to go on board.

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