Christchurch to Oamaru

I slept reasonably well but have lost my voice and don’t feel particularly well.  It was still raining this morning and quite cold.  We had breakfast with my brother and sister-in-law, packed our bags, loaded the car and set off for Oamaru.  It rained most of the way, but when we stopped in Timaru to have a quick bite to eat and a coffee it has mostly stopped.  There was some flooding, but it didn’t impact us too much.  The closer we got to Oamaru the nicer the weather became and the sun even made an appearance.

The lovely blipper, Mima, who has been a huge help to us - carrying out the pre-settlement inspection and checking that the house was clean and ready for occupation - pulled up outside the house at precisely the same time as we did.  We couldn’t have timed it better if we’d tried.  She had the keys and some goodies for us to tide us over until our kitchen is operational.  Such a huge help and so very much appreciated. Friends like Mima are priceless.

We unloaded the car, unpacked a couple of boxes that the packers had given us for last-minute things, and had a good poke around, trying to work out what furniture would go where.  The main difficulty is where to put our desks.  I’m sure it will all become clear tomorrow when our furniture arrives.

We took some measurements for a couple of things we need, then set off to start the search for them.  We looked in one store then moved onto another but, unfortunately, it was 5pm and this is small-town Oamaru, so they were closing.  We’ll have to try again on Wednesday, because tomorrow will be much too busy.

We checked into the hotel, had a drink in front of the fire and then something to eat.  I had a Lemsip to try to fight off the head cold, then we repaired to our room to relax for a while before jumping into bed.  Tomorrow is a big day!

The blip shows the Sacred Heart Basilica in Timaru, taken from the car as we drove past; the Oamaru sign as we entered Oamaru; snowdrops in the garden of our new home; and two photos from our hotel.