Out biking with Glynn on Saturday. Stunning day (if a little windy)… up in the port hills above Sumner. If there was an area of ChCh I was going to buy a house in this would certainly be it (more on that later)…

We went out again on Sunday for a blat around Bottle Lake – our usual haunt – and graham came too. Unfortunately no pictures of this one – but Glynn managed to crack his rear axle. One can only assume it’s one too many pies and the bicycle simply sat down and refused to take any more abuse. Poor thing (the bike ;).

Still, it’s a great excuse to get a new one – which I know is something he has been wanting to do for a while.

Other news – just about to book tickets to Uganda (via South Africa). $3000. Ouch. Coupled with the Toyota TownAce van that I am thinking of buying (another $3000) it’s going to be an expensive little week for me.

So yes, more on buying houses. Many friends back home are getting them. And here too. I can understand why having a house / apartment would be a nice thing to have. Well, I kinda can. However.. let me outline my situation.

If I wanted to get a house in ChCh – I could probably get a 3 bedroom detached house in a reasonable part of town – for around about $300,000. Mortgages here run about 8%. This means that just servicing the interest alone would be $24,000 – or roughly that for the first year. This is $2000 a month! My rent is $320 a month. So, I could save $1680 a month. Obviously, when you’re paying your mortgage you’re going to be paying the full $300k eventually.. so potentially you could just save that instead of paying it (plus the interest).

Now, of course where this all falls down (from my point of view) is that

a) I will not own my own place and the security which comes with that
b) If house prices rise then I will be loosing out – and it will become correspondingly harder for me to get on the property ladder – if and when the time comes.

However, what you have to remember is that interest rates are pretty low (in Europe) at the moment… but they can increase – in fact the UK is about to hit 5% (highest since 2001). So if the property boom doesn’t continue.. and the rise in prices don’t match the interest rates increases … But sure what do I know (honestly not much)

I dunno, really not made up my mind about this yet… but, sorry, there’s no way you’re going to catch me shelling out half a million euro for a house in Dublin when I can spend 1/2 that over here and get something bigger & a lot closer to the beach and hills (and ski fields). Besides, as I’ve not earned Euro in 3 years I’m pretty skint (were I to move back – which I’m not!)

ra ra ra NZ is great NZ is great.. ra ra ra. Actually, I hope ppl don’t move over here – it’d ruin the country for the rest of us ;)

Well, not scary exactly – and I suppose we’ve been manipulating images ever since we’ve been able to take them. Still.. here’s a Dove Advert (if you’ve not seen it before.. I’d not, but then I don’t have a tele!)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00nhKwv4M5Q]

And a link to some before&after; pictures (i.e. models before and after they’ve been photoshopped)

Summer has just about arrived – and one morning Mark was eating breakfast outside the front door unaware that his every move was being watched.

Oh yes, watched. He went off to get his bag before leaving the house – and then I heard a shout (and a crash). As soon as he had left a duck had made a break for our kitchen through the open door.

It got into a flap, hit the window, poo’d on the floor and then ran outside…

It then lurked outside – staking out the house for a further 30 mins.

We’re planning on leaving a trail of breadcrumbs right into the oven….

Then on Friday evening it was Dom & Vals flat warming. They moved into 39 Fendalton about a month ago but have finally had the house warming. It was Elvis themed. Also found out that the whole duck thing was most likely because they have started feeding them in their kitchen! Amazing how quickly behavior can be learned.

I went out shopping at the second hand stores and managed to pick up a 1/2 decent outfit. Even wore it in work (it was casual Friday). I think 1/2 the people there thought I was being serious. Oh dear.. my dress sense really must be awful if that’s the case.

Sat and Sun – got some mountain biking done and a couple of barbecues.. finally off to the beach to watch the fireworks (which were excellent). They don’t really celebrate Halloween so much over here – it’s all Guy Fawkes (or mostly about that)

No prizes for guessing though

Beware, philosophical Patrick in the e-house.

A while ago I was chatting with my landlady (80 years old and still as sharp as a pin) and ended up lending her a compilation of my grandfathers letters that my Aunt had put together. After reading it she lent me a book called ‘Other Mens Flowers’. The book is a compilation of poetry from a field Marshall (A P Wavell) in the second world war. She thought it was a book my grandfather would have enjoyed – and indeed he had many copies of this book at home. Well worth a look if you get the chance. There are a few old favourites I’d not read in a long time – one from primary school (which I’ll put in later)

This one – Leisure, I came across a few weeks ago and it is slightly pertinent at the moment. You see, I am on a fixed term contract with the Ministry – which is due to expire in a months time. It’ll get extended (to the best of my knowledge)… but it was a time for reflection as I am thinking of moving to a permanent position (if one becomes available) and I am really tempted to move to a 4 day week!. Crazy? I don’t think so – I’ve got quite a few friends over here who do 4 days. I don’t particularly need the extra cash – no mortgage and no dependents! However.. a 3 day weekend every week… now that could be good. So we’ll see… we’ll see.

But enough ramblings – enjoy the poem…

W. H. Davies

Leisure

What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare?

No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep and cows.

No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.

No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.

No time to turn at Beauty’s glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.

No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.

A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.