February 12, 2021

Our house creaks every time we draw a breath.  Jim did some research to learn that this is a Lockwood house, built as a sort of kitset, from tongue and groove lumber.  Thousands of joints – all just pressure fit wood.  It probably does great in earthquakes – lots of play.  It sounds like the house can’t get comfortable.  Particularly noticeable at night, when we know no one is moving, but the house is popping and groaning!

That said, we are sitting on our patio with a picture-perfect view, fed – Jim grilled – and nicely tired from the day’s activities.  The sun is going down and it is even getting a bit cool.  We can probably tolerate a few groans.

This morning we hiked up Mount Iron – a glacier-carved rocky knoll in Wanaka (about 2km out of town).  It was a good hike.  We were impressed with the number of young moms doing it, babies strapped to their fronts, wearing footwear that looked a lot less serious than our own.  We were rewarded with lovely 360 ^o views and a good work out. 

We came back to our groaning house for lunch.  Frances did another walk along the east of Lake Wanaka this afternoon.  One can go for miles….