YOU April

you

APRIL 2012

magazine

SINGING SHEARER INSIDE

Rocky Bull steps out of his comfort zone

COBRA VENOM

GARDEN SPARKS GLORY FLYING Your Ashburton Guardian publication

YOU social scene

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What’s in

Publisher

Ashburton Guardian Co Ltd

307-7900 l ashburtonguardian.co.nz

you

Zonta Youth Art Awards

magazine P3

who’s out and about

P4-5

COVER STORY:

Rocky Bull – shearer/superstar P6-7

couch potato

P8 P11

unsung hero

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Above (from left) – Viv Williams, Libby Durdin and Linda Petrie.

DIY: seal your bricks

Material in YOU is copyright to the Ashburton Guardian and can not be reproduced without the written permission of the publishers

P12-13

house renovation

P14-15

gardening

P16-17

motoring

P18

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Above – Lyndsay McCosker and Karin Farrell.

weddings

P20-21

travel to Ireland

P22-23

from the Ukraine

P24

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Above (from left) – Wynn and Jackie Corby and Ally McManus.

Below – Judy and Alan Keith and Margaret Rickard.

bejewelled

Editorial contact Lisa Fenwick • 307-7929 lisa.f@theguardian.co.nz

Advertising contact Nancye Pitt • 307-7974 nancye.p@theguardian.co.nz

Cover photo Ashburton man Rocky Bull ... shearer by day, singing star by night.

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Ex

Above – Kelsey Lovett (left) and Erinn Keith.

Below (from left) – Olie and Alister Body and Janine Peters.

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The meridian season of

29 A TR A S pR i l 12 HOw . 30p m

Angelina Ballerina’s

Big Audition

ASHBURTON ASHBURTON TRUST EVENT CENTRE 28 April 2012 10:30am, 1:30pm, 3:30pm 29 April 2012 10:30am ticketdirect.co.nz | 0800 4 TICKET An English National Ballet Production

nzballet.org.nz ©2012 Hit Entertainment Limited Hit and HIT logo are trademarks of HIT Entertainment Limited

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YOU social scene

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Lunch with Dr Alan Bollard

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Above (from left) – Grant Osborn and Rodger and Gavin Briggs.

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Above – Kim Hamill and Debra Curtin.

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Above (from left) – Garry Haskett, Rob Reid and Fay Watson.

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Above – Bob (left) and Alan Johnston.

Right – Deborah and Craig Halliday.

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Above left – Bill Thomas (left) and John Paterson.

Above right – Paddy and Marie Kennedy and Dale Thomas.

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Above – Phil McKendry and Jessie Dorman.

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YOU

cover story

Super shearer Life’s about challenging yourself, says Rocky Bull, and for him that’s meant dressing up and stepping out on stage as a cast member of the Ashburton Variety Theatre’s next show, Just the Boyz. He talks to reporter SUE NEWMAN about his transformation from shearer to show star.

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photo kirsty graham 080412-kg-022

Rehearsals might be absorbing most of his out-of-work hours, but Just the Boyz star Rocky Bull, still makes time to spend with his children Zara, 6, and Jack, 5.

s he chats about the polar extremes of his life, the same word keeps cropping up – Rocky Bull is nervous.

He’s an experienced shearer, some would say he’s at the top of his game and until a few weeks ago he thought he had his life sorted – work by day, spend time with his kids, ride his trail bike for recreation and socialise by having a pint or two with friends.

Until a few weeks ago, Rocky Bull wasn’t a nervous man. Then everything changed. On a whim he decided to turn his life on its head and set himself a challenge. That challenge has given him one hell of a fright and it’s made him nervous – very nervous.

Rocky the shearer is about to become Rocky the show star and the transformation from shearing board to stage is a lot tougher, a lot more challenging and a whole lot more fun than he ever imagined.

For a boy who sang in the shower, the car, to sheep and after a few beers as a karaoke competitor, stepping out on stage was enough to make even the most confident of men nervous.

Rocky says he’s not a great singer, but that he’s happy enough with his vocal ability. What he’s not so sure about is the dancing side of the deal. While he might be fleet of foot as he whips in and out of the catching pen, any sure-footedness seems to have deserted him when he tries to dance, he says.

“Getting my mouth and my feet to do what they’re supposed to do at the same time, it’s proving to be a bit of a challenge, I get nervous thinking about it.”

But he’s committed to getting it right. As a five song solo member of the cast of the Ashburton Variety Theatre’s next show, Just the Boyz, Rocky is determined that when the curtain goes up on opening night he’ll be word, pitch and step perfect.

So what makes a man at the age of 45 decide to step out on stage, to do something from left field, something that’s way out of his comfort zone?

Call it a whim, call it insanity, call it a need to push the boundaries of his life. Rocky’s not quite sure why, but he saw the audition advertised, thought he’d give it a go and then put it at the back of his mind. Until audition day.

“I’d only just got back from Hamilton and the day of auditions I was walking around the house thinking, should I do it, shouldn’t I do it, but I knew if I didn’t give it a go I’d regret it later. I guess I wanted to scare myself a bit.”

For him the challenge was the audition. He never thought beyond that first step, assuming he’d never make the cut. He sang Easy and Mustang Sally and he won the hearts of the audition panel.

“I was really nervous when I got in there and when I found I had got in, that made me even more nervous. I’d never even been to a show and now I was in one.”

When it comes to music, Rocky’s no stranger. In his family everyone sings – in the car, around the house and everyone plays the guitar.

Years ago he was a member of a band – short lived. They practiced for six months, did one gig and then the guy who owned the gear left town.

Rocky swore that was the first and last time he’d

5

to superstar be involved in anything musical – too much hard work for too little result. “We called ourselves the Midnight Run. We’d do four shearing runs all day then go to the Winchmore Hall and practice until midnight. I swore I’d never put in that much hard work again.”

He was wrong. Just the Boyz rehearsals are just as hard and just as long, but nerves aside, they’re proving to be a hell of a lot more fun, he said.

“This is the biggest challenge I’ve ever set myself.

I knew it would be hard, but it’s much, much harder, but even if I’d known how hard it would be I’d still have done it.”

One of Rocky’s biggest concerns was the ribbing he anticipated getting from his mates. He told just two people he was auditioning in case he chickened out and stayed home.

Now the secret’s out he’s amazed at the reactions.

“My mates are all encouraging me but they say they’d never do it. Everyone’s been great and I’ve had plenty of support. They say they admire me for doing this and often the people saying that are the ones whom I thought would give me a hard time.”

He’s done the odd spot on the karaoke stage, winning his way to a South Island final but never managed to make the event due to work commitments.

“I just did that at the Tinwald Tav when I was having a good time with the rest of the crew. I really don’t think I’m a good singer, I just enjoy singing.”

But there’s a huge difference between singing in a pub where the words roll past in front of your eyes to being word perfect, step perfect, number after number, on stage night after night before an audience of hundreds.

“It’s pretty hard learning songs I didn’t know, learning the words, learning the dancing and then to get it all going at the same time. Everyone else has done this before and I’m still getting nervous at rehearsals.”

And he’s also struggling to adjust to singing and dancing in front of a wall of mirrors. Unfortunately,

the adjustments haven’t ended either. Rocky’s had his first look at his stage wardrobe and to his horror spotted the odd fluro and lycra garment on the rack. He’s not sure how he’s going to handle those.

Even worse, he now realises that even the blokes don’t go on stage with a naked face. Like every other male, he’ll be lining up for makeup - discretely applied of course.

While he was once a shearing shed virtuoso, Rocky says the sheep don’t get to hear him singing as much now; he reckons he doesn’t have enough puff to sing and shear at the same time. But their loss has been his neighbours’ gain.

“I’ve had to put my head over the fence and apologise to them in case it’s a bit loud because they’ll be hearing it over and over and over.”

Already he’s impressed his two greatest fans, his children, six-year-old Zara and five-yearold Jack. They’re always keen to sing along with him and to copy his dance moves. Zara already has the dance steps that are baffling her dad, down pat.

Dancing might be proving the greatest challenge, but Rocky’s determined to get it right on the night. “I really want to get this right, not just for me, but for the other guys. They’re great and there’s always plenty of encouragement.”

His life is now ruled by his theatre diary, with rehearsals consuming most of his spare time, but he’s not complaining. He’s determined not to look like the new kid on the block come opening night and while he knows he’ll be rocked by nerves come curtain up, he says he has absolutely no regrets about taking on the challenge of turning super shearer into a superstar. photo kirsty graham 040412-kg-019

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Left and above – The two faces of Rocky Bull – shearer by day, singing star by night.

YOU couch potato challenge

6

Couch potatoes

Ready for the final challenge

By Amanda Niblett The finish line is in sight and our Couch Potatoes are lined up, ready to clear their final hurdle, the 10km challenge.

The six months of training and making changes to their lifestyle is now complete, and next week they will get an indication of how their fitness has improved since undertaking the challenge.

It would be fair to say that some of our contestants would have become short of breath walking to the mailbox to clear the mail when they first started the challenge, but look at how far they have come.

Sure each and every one of them at some stage has faced challenging moments, whether it be social occasions, sickness or injury, but the important component that has got them this far is to overcome the challenge and continue toward the accomplishment.

Weight loss and getting fit is hard, and the longer it is left, the harder it gets. One factor that our contestants have faced is that even with support along the way, from Rachael at Studio Fit and Frank at the Gym Company, is it up to you to get out of bed or off the couch and get your daily dose of exercise. Even knowing that you are in the public arena

is not enough to motivate you daily if you aren’t in the right frame of mind to begin with. So you can have a fantastic support network, but ultimately it still comes down to you.

Every step taken, every morsel of food that passes between your lips, everything will affect the end result. Some days are harder than others.

Emotions affect our moods and motivation, and it is far easier to slip back into complacency than to keep motivated to make a change. How you deal with all of this will determine your level of success.

Start by taking a simple walk. There’s no better time than now. Don’t put it off until next week, just go now. The sooner you start, the sooner you will feel great. Even if you don’t feel like getting up and moving, think about how great you will feel once you are finished, full of energy and brimming with pride. Even if you only make it as far as a block, it’s better than nothing, and tomorrow you will go further.

Do this simple thing for yourself each day, and within a month you will be feeling fantastic.

Next month we will publish photos and results from the 10km challenge, to show just how far our Couch Potatoes have come in six months.

Rachel Robertson

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I am the first to admit that the past two months have been challenging, as I haven’t been particularly well.

I have still made the effort to get out walking, but have cut back on the running due to a sore hip.

On the positive I went for a 7.5km walk from Tinwald to Lake Hood in preparation for Relay for Life. I found it relatively easy so I am confident for our 10km challenge coming up soon.

The Relay for Life was so much fun, I had a great time and must thank my son for asking me to come and participate with him. Although I’m pretty sire I walked rings around him.

Now I find it so much easier to get up and go for a walk. This journey has helped my motivation and fitness, so now I don’t struggle with it, I just get up and do it.

I know that to lose weight you need to be ready and have a positive frame of mind as well as eating correctly and exercising.

For me, the exercise has been my positive first step toward a healthier lifestyle and weight loss.

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YOU couch potato challenge Jeff Withington I still remember marching up to the Guardian’s office for the initial photo session as if it were yesterday, unsure of the next 6 months. Was I doing the right thing or was I being daft?

One thing I did find out was that I wasn’t as fit as I thought I was. In my younger days I was phenomenally fit, so I was astounded at how the years had passed me by.

Our nutritionist set us on a path and the tips from her were set in motion, and then I don’t quite know what happened. We never met again, so I went on what information I gained from those two visits.

It turned out that I was the only one of the five of us who continued on at the Gym Company, which was sad as they had gone to the trouble of preparing programmes.

I got to the top weight range for the equipment I was using and felt proud about that.

I haven’t become a fitness freakn but will elect to walk to most destinations around town whereas beforehand it would have been easier to take the car.

While I haven’t had a final assessment yet, I feel fitter than at the start. Earlier assessments showed improvements along the way.

It’ll be interesting to meet up again in six months to see if we haven’t slipped into old habits but at this point I’m happy to continue what I’ve started.

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At the start of the six months I walked for half an hour, which didn’t seem to cover much ground.

But it became much easier to increase the time and speed at which I walked. My longest walk was to the Wakanui Hall (10km from my home). I went as fast as I could without stopping the whole way. I thought I was never going to get there, but I did and it was a great feeling of achievement.

We had our 1km timed walk in early December . After completing it Rachel told me it was time to step it up and start running. This was a scary thought but I was willing to get on with it. The transition into it wasn’t as bad as I thought as my knees and ankles seemed to have built up strength with all the walking I had done. The first time I ran 2km before stopping and surprising enough felt reasonably good.

I went to the gym a few times to do some strength work, but found that with limited time, I just found myself running. As I increased my running distance I set myself challenges. The first one was to Wakanui Beach. I had a practice run to Wakanui Hall and got there 15 minutes quicker running than walking. I did this a couple of times and then one weekend told myself, today is the day for Wakanui Beach. I did it without stopping and from my place it is just under 17km. By the time I got there my body was just plodding along, but once I saw the sea a bit of adrenalin took over. Two weeks later I decided to try running to Wakanui Hall and back without stopping.

I travelled to Australia for two weeks in February to manage the New Zealand under-20 men’s basketball team. The team was my focus but I was able to coordinate some ‘me’ time to go for the odd run.

During this challenge my body has changed a bit.

Some people may have noticed I have lost a few kilograms since I started - a total of 30kg. Now I can buy 2 or 3XL , whereas before I struggled to find 5 or 6XL. There is a lot more for me to choose from now.

Wayne Rodgers I recorded my distances I have done since the start, walking a total of about 260km, not including to the shops or around town or evening strolls on relaxing As I sit down to write this last diary entry I night. From when I started running until now I have find it hard to believe six months has gone by already. When I began I wondered how I was covered a total of 400km. At the peak of the time I covered up to 40km a week, but have now eased going to get through this challenge. back to 25 to 35km. This is because I am busy with When I look back now I see it has been an basketball. These distances to a distance runner may amazing journey. From the start I wrote down not seem much, but to a couch potato it is a long way. what I ate each day, you become conscious of I would like to thank everyone for their support what you put into your mouth. Now I am eating fruit and veges. The main thing I have cut out including You Magazine, Rachel our fitness instructor, was the baking. However, Easter I had a couple and a special thanks to the public as well, the people of caramel eggs. I have cut down on, although who toot and wave, or the stranger who just smiles and I have been known to have a quite a few on the says gidday as you run past.

Thank you very much. odd occasion.

Cathie Withington

Geoff Laird I have found it particularly difficult over the past month to regain the motivation that I had at the start oft he challenge. A combination of not feeling the best and working night-shift has meant that I have struggled to get back into the daily exercise rhythm.

The weeks fly by and it was hard to believe that already another month had passed.

With the 10km challenge coming up shortly I am looking forward to seeing what I can achieve, as I know it will be more than when I first started this challenge.

I would like to thank my family and workmates who have supported and encouraged me through the months of this challenge.

I can’t believe that the six months is over.

Although things certainly haven’t gone to plan, well, life doesn’t go according to plan and so I need to be adaptable. Which is easier said than done. So many things have gone “wrong” that the challenge hasn’t so much been getting more active but working through the setbacks.

I have really enjoyed feeling more confidence in my body. Previously I have avoided going out on walks or bike rides because I just “knew” that I’d get part way and have to be rescued. Now, I can confidently go out - walking longer distances - knowing that I CAN walk back.

I know winter will be harder for getting out and exercising but there will still be ways to be more active and after all I won’t melt in the rain. I’ve broken another toe kicking another piece of furniture and so I’m not sure how the final challenge will go - I’m QUITE sure my bum won’t hold up for a 20km bike ride!

But even if I can’t go the whole distance I will certainly be there and do my best.

Thanks to everyone who has supported me with walks, encouraging words - even toots as you drive past!

YOU unsung hero

8

Dot does it for the

LOVE D

photo tetsuro mitomo 100412-tm-184

Dot Thomas helps to make the engine room at the Ashburton Tennis Centre tick over, as one of the many volunteers who help out in the kitchen.

By Amanda Durry

ot Thomas is a master of multi-tasking.

From making toasted sandwiches, to heating pies and selling drinks, she does it all – and that is just while being interviewed for this article.

But Dot loves what she does – and that’s volunteering in the Ashburton Tennis Centre kitchen.

Having a laugh is key, and Dot is just one of the many great volunteers at the tennis centre. With a food handling certificate under her belt, she’s an easy choice to work in the kitchen – or the engine room as it is affectionately known.

She plays tennis herself but her husband Chris is more involved, making volunteering in the kitchen a good way to play her part, especially when tournaments such as the New Zealand under-16 teams event are being hosted locally.

“It’s something I really enjoy because I get to meet so many people. I mainly help out with tournaments so I meet people of all ages and from everywhere.

“If you like meeting people and having a laugh, the kitchen is always a good choice. It’s a one-stop shop because people come to us for more than just food, but information and everything in between,” she said.

She fell into the job by default, after she got her first catering experience when her children were at kindergarten.

Through her three children, she has volunteered through Plunket, kindergartens and schools and is still involved with several other local organisations, including the Anglican Church.

“It’s just what I do to help out in the community. Organisations couldn’t function without the help of volunteers so if I can help out, I do,” she said.

And as a true team player, Dot said she couldn’t run the kitchen without others.

“I’m lucky I’ve got such a good team of volunteers to assist me in the kitchen because without a great team of people, it can’t be done,” she said.

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YOU lifestyle

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10

YOU lifestyle

advertising feature

Cast Boyz

Leen Braam Rocky Bull Kevin Cameron Calum Fitzwater Luke Glendining Brent Gray Jack Hanrahan Brian Taylor Gavin Templeton Awa Timothy Jodan Townshend Micah Townshend

Dancers

Julia Bell Grace Goulter Kelsey Jackson Hayley Johnson Kendall Lowe Abbey Marshall Danielle Temple Jessie Thomson

Backing singers

Just the Boyz Are Back

By Amanda Wright It’s been seven long years and they have been missed. The humour, the theatrics and the toetapping tunes... the public wanted more.

Whispers started to circulate, they might be coming back. Could this be true? The public waited in anticipation. After some requests outright begging, the Variety Theatre shouted from the rooftops – YES! Just the Boyz are back.

The ‘Boyz’ theme has proved extremely popular for the Variety Theatre since the first production in 2001, named Just the Boyz.

The show was written and directed by well-known local performer and singer Gavin Templeton, who followed the 2001 performance with Just the Boyz II in 2003 and Not Just the Boyz in 2005.

Seven years later the stage is soon to be graced with the fourth instalment, Just the Boyz Are Back.

What follows is traditional Kiwi humour which will have you clutching your tummy while you wail in laughter, accompanied by a long list of classic music.

Whether you are 16 or 96, you will be familiar with the popular beats, such as Mustang Sally, Caravan of Love and Eagle Rock, just to name a few.

Assisting Gavin in the production is his daughter, Sarah, as musical director, and also Karmen Walters, the show’s choreographer.

The cast is full of local talent whom many will recognise from previous Variety Theatre performances.

The cast and crew are working feverishly to perfect their voices and moves for this epic production. Rehearsals are twice a week, and will increase to three or four times as the performance draws near.

The show kicks off on May 18 with an evening performance, followed by another evening performance on May 19, a Sunday matinee for those who prefer an earlier performance, and then resumes nightly performances on May 22.

Tickets are on sale now from the Ashburton Trust Event Centre. Be in quick to avoid disappointment as the Boyz won’t be here forever. For a flashy, funny, fast-paced, handclapping extravaganza of costume, song and dance, treat yourself to a night with the Boyz.

Kim Brenton Cherie Livingstone Megan McAtamney Mel Neumann Pauline Ramsay Sarah Templeton

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YOU do it yourself

11

Let’s seal those bricks

T

here is a misconception that bricks are a permanent material and never need attention. However, although brick and mortar structures may look solid and durable enough to withstand exposure to the weather, brick is a porous material and needs sealing every 10 years. Prolonged exposure to the elements causes unsealed exterior brick walls to absorb water, allowing moisture to seep into the home. Mould can begin to grow on and behind the brick, and efflorescence can form on the surface.

Efflorescence is the whitish staining on the surface of brick and masonry. It is the accumulation of salts from the brick itself which occurs when moisture evaporates.

Spalling is when the brick or masonry substrate flakes. This is often caused by water freezing inside the brick and expanding, causing the brick to break and flake.

Excessive moisture eventually compromises the integrity of unsealed brick walls. The best way to prevent this damage and avoid extensive repairs is to coat exterior brick walls with a penetrating sealer.

However, you need to take care. A surface sealer such as acrylics, silicones or epoxies can actually trap water vapour from the inside of the building from getting out, causing spalling.

The best way to waterproof and seal a brick or other masonry substrate is with a penetrating siloxane based sealer. The siloxane penetrates into the masonry substrate and chemically bonds to it. This fills the pores and prevents liquid water from penetrating.

However, siloxanes are breathable, so water vapour from the interior can still escape from the brick.

Siloxanes have the added benefit of not colouring or darkening the substrate. They are clear and do not leave a glossy sheen. Since siloxanes penetrate the masonry and are not on the surface, the original texture of the surface is maintained. And the penetration into the masonry substrate actually protects them from the elements.

Before you start you will need to thoroughly clean all surfaces by mixing together a few squirts of liquid dish detergent or sugar soap in a bucket of warm water, then scrubbing the wall with a stiff-bristled brush. Remove all grime, efflorescence or moss. Yes this sounds

Shane Woods Ordinary Kiwi bloke Shane ‘Woodsy’ Woods is handy around the house with a hammer. Each month we’ll check in on what his latest DIY project has been.

Above – Efflorescence is the whitish staining on the surface of brick and masonry, caused by the accumulation of salts from the brick itself.

Right – Woodsy applies a coat of sealer to waterproof an exterior brick wall.

very time-consuming, so a half-day hire of a waterblaster is a great investment. Gently waterblast the bricks and allow to dry for at least 24 hours.

Apply the penetrating sealer using a large paintbrush, paint roller or sprayer. Take care to read the manufacturer’s directions. In most cases, sealer should be applied in long, smooth strokes in one direction, then applied in the opposite direction to ensure full and even coverage.

Allow the sealer to dry for a minimum of 30 minutes before applying a second coat.

Some sealers only require one coat and they mean it. As you go over already coated areas you can see it repelling the moisture, so make sure you achieve an even coverage first time.

Now is the perfect time to seal your bricks and mortar as winter sets in, making it the perfect DIY job.

Happy sealing.

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12

THIS IS AN ASHBURTON GUARDIAN ADVERTISING FEATURE

YOU house of the month

Double the space

KITCHEN BEFORE

LAUNDRY BEFORE

LOUNGE BEFORE

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H

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ome is where the heart is, which is why so many couples pour their heart and soul into renovating. But how many homes are too many, and how do you know when you’re done? Merv and Lynne Hastie are renovating their 12th house, but this one is the last ... honest.

A 67-square metre home is not everyone’s ideal choice when purchasing a new home, but few would see the potential that Merv and Lynne saw in their future dream home.

Located close to the town boundary, the quiet rural location was immediately appealing. The previous owner had planted the spacious grounds to emulate a lovely park-like setting.

Lynne drew up the plans for the renovation herself, removing a bedroom wall to make the living area twice the size, adding a fireplace and creating a

new building space to allow for a large master bedroom with ensuite and walk-in wardrobe.

“We ended up making the additional build add-on larger twice to allow for everything we wanted, which is the beauty of designing it yourself. We got the council approval quickly, although we weren’t in a hurry so nothing was a drama,” Lynne said.

“The original house was built by Versatile, so we approached them for the build so that everything would match.

They were really helpful and everything went very smoothly. From there we arranged our own subcontractors and did a lot of the work ourselves.

“We were able to choose the finer details that made our house a home, down to colours, furnishings and fittings. We chased the sales and grabbed what we could for a bargain, which allowed us to splash out on what we really wanted, like the granite bench-top in the kitchen,” Lynne said.

One year since the house was

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YOU house of the month

13

THIS IS AN ASHBURTON GUARDIAN ADVERTISING FEATURE

for delightful living purchased, the result is a home which has now doubled in size, consisting of three bedrooms, an office, two bathrooms, a new kitchen and a larger living area.

The couple moved to Ashburton in 1998, but are originally from the deep south, Lynne from Stewart Island and Merv from Te Anau. They have three children, one still at home, with the older two moved on. Merv and Lynne have since become grandparents.

“The extra bedroom gives us space for our children and grandchildren to comfortably visit, allowing for everyone to have their own privacy.”

The home carries a black, grey and brown theme throughout the interior, which cleverly merges modern blacks with rustic wood. From the feature rug in the dining room, to the merging colours in the plush drapes, the theme creates a sharp yet warming effect that flows from one end of the home to the other.

The fireplace in the living area adds

ambience and comfort, and the smoky grey tiles form a character element behind the fireplace.

The master bedroom is where ingenuity and opulence merge to create the ultimate sleeping space. Lynne designed the plan to accommodate a walk-in wardrobe in her daughter’s room, storage area in the hallway as well as ensuite and walk-in wardrobe in the master bedroom. The clever use of hidden space allows for larger dimensions and additional luxury.

The ensuite provides bliss after a hard day of work, with a deep spa bath and large curved shower. The vinyl displays an effect to make the floor look like white wood, giving a beach-house feel. The tiny tiles that surround the bath add serenity and style, creating the perfect relaxation haven. Merv installed a mains pressure system, and upgraded the hot water cylinder from a 180l capacity cylinder to 250l. Now they can enjoy long, hot showers with plenty of pressure.

FROM THIS ...

TO THIS ...

AND THIS ...

AND THIS ...

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YOU great gardens

14

CLARRIE AND HIS EDIBLE PARADISE

It’s not all about size P

By Sue Newman

ark outside Clarrie and Norma Galway’s Ashburton home and the immaculate garden out front gives no hint of the edible paradise that lurks behind the back fence.

The retired couple have created an urban garden that has the best of everything the gardening world has to offer. In many ways it’s an amalgamation of the many gardens they’ve established over their years of moving around New Zealand and, like its predecessors, this garden has been created with love.

Theirs is a garden where the labour is neatly divided – Norma takes care of the flowers and Clarrie the functional vege plot and the lawns. That’s the way it’s always been and the Galways can’t see any

reason to make a change in their latest garden.

They might have moved house many times as a bank family, but that didn’t mean the Galway family didn’t put down roots. Each time they moved they rolled up their sleeves and gardened. And when they retired to a large block on the outskirts of Ashburton they created a large garden from scratch.

In every garden they’ve created, Clarrie and Norma say their gardening has never been for show, it’s always been for themselves and their own enjoyment.

“We never have any real plan, our gardens just happen, I suppose I’ve got a vivid garden imagination,” Norma said.

If there’s any planning, it centres around ensuring there’s always something coming into flower, regardless of the season. She grows many of her own annuals from seed and propagates cuttings

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YOU

15

gathered from friends’ gardens.

Their current garden is a happy mix of annuals, perennials, trees and shrubs. It might look labour intensive, but Norma says she’s no slave to the soil. She spends as much or as little time as she wants digging and weeding.

“It doesn’t rule my life, but it’s something I really enjoy and if it’s something other people enjoy when they walk past, that’s great. I’m not into competition gardens though, that’s just not me. I just garden to suit my section and to the seasons. I didn’t want this to be a garden where I had to spend a lot of time.”

Her latest garden is neatly edged with buxus hedging and that gives it year-round appeal.

Even if nothing is flowering and deciduous trees are bare, there’s always the green of the hedge to give the section definition, Norma said. When it comes to choosing plants, Nor-

ma doesn’t play favourites. She’s very much a ‘whatever takes her fancy’ kind of gardener.

“I get inspired by other people’s gardens too; everyone does things quite differently.

You gain knowledge from other people. If you listen to people who are good gardeners you learn a lot.”

Their section was part of an established garden and while that came with the benefit of some established trees, it also had the disadvantage of trees that had passed their use-by date needing to be removed. She admits they provided a good income for tree removers for a few days.

“What we ended up with was a section that was basically stripped right back, one where we had to start from scratch. I do like big trees, but in town you have to be fair to your neighbours and that doesn’t mean big trees.”

While they’ve established many gardens, each with absolute love and dedication, Norma said she has never minded when it’s been time to move on.

“I just looked at every new garden as another challenge and I’ve always liked a challenge. A lot of people don’t realise what you can actually grow on a small section.”

Norma describes her garden as “practical” producing as much as possible in terms of both flowers and edible produce. Their section demonstrates just what you can do on a town section.

While much of Norma’s garden is visible from the street, Clarrie’s pride and joy is tucked away at the end of the garden path.

Walk behind the back fence and you’re greeted by beautiful, healthy, thriving vegetables – all varieties, tucked happily into every corner.

And taking pride of place in that garden are Clarrie’s fruit trees, particularly his espaliered apples, heavy with fruit, and his peach and nectarine trees.

This year he’s trying coloured cauliflower and has heritage tomatoes happily rubbing shoulders with modern varieties along a sunny fence. Their aim is to be self-sufficient and they achieve this for most of the year.

The only thing he doesn’t grow are pumpkins; even in his well utilised garden, there simply isn’t enough space for their rampant and trailing habits. But there is enough room for a glasshouse and a garden wash tub to ensure veges reach the house sans dirt.

Nothing goes to waste in the Galway garden, with healthy compost bins and a worm farm ensuring green waste is returned to the soil.

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16

advertising feature

YOU motoring

Grunt on the go

By Amanda Wright If you’re looking for a powerful diesel engine, rugged good looks, performance on and off-road plus style and comfort, the Toyota Hilux is built to enhance your work, leisure or adventure lifestyle.

The Toyota Hilux is the car BBC’s Top Gear simply couldn’t kill, despite attempts at death by crashing, drowning and crushing. And it was the truck of choice for their world recordbreaking drive to the North Pole.

Hilux just keeps delivering the performance I need,” Dougal said.

Hilux has built a legendary reputation as a tough, reliable workhorse. Today the Hilux is much more. Its unstoppable ability comes with more refinement, more equipment and more power making it the ultimate leisure and adventure vehicle. Underneath the new, modern exterior, the Hilux retains the rugged quality features that have made it a legendary success around the world – including truly remarkable off-road performance.

Dougal Anderson, owner of Anderson’s Joinery purchased a new 2007 Toyota Hilux, and has been enjoying the performance and reliability for the past five years.

“Toyota’s reliability has proven itself to me over other its other models too. As well as using the Hilux for work, we also have a Hiace van, and sometimes when we’re travelling up to the lakes we take the Prado.

“Toyota has a reputation for reliability. I have always owned a Hilux because of its performance, and the 2007 model appealed when it was launched.

“The Hilux is great for when we are working in a remote area, the 4WD means it doesn’t get bogged on the building site. It can pretty much go anywhere,” Dougal said.

It was more powerful than other vehicles currently on the market; it drives well, looks good and has a comfortable interior.

The Toyota Hilux has a well-deserved reputation for being built to last. Big and butch, it is a giant among pick up trucks, while being remarkably comfortable to drive. Visit Ashburton Toyota to test drive the new Hilux, to see how it can enhance your adventure pleasure.

“I drive a lot of kilometres during the year, for work and travelling up to the lakes, and mechanically I haven’t had any issues. The

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YOU

17

car mania

Vehicles of all shapes and sizes are seen on Mid Canterbury roads. Jim Reed owns a compact cruiser in his replica 1967 Cobra. Just for YOU, Jonathan Leask looks at the burgundy beauty.

photos kirsty graham 060412-kg-071

The cruising Cobra with Jim Reed at the wheel.

Cobra strike

J

060412-kg-032

Above – The big Chev motor that gives the Cobra its venom.

im Reed owns a Cobra with lots of venom.

Not a slithering snake with a vicious bite, but a 1967 AC Cobra replica.

Jim’s Cobra is a two-door roadster replica that has a hint of originality.

“Although it’s a replica I did things a little different,” he said.

“It is quite a bit different to a factory model.”

A builder by trade, Jim put his own personal touch on his childhood dream car.

“I had always wanted a Cobra and my wife Denise was good enough to let me get one but I did things a little differently.

“It’s a Chevrolet engine, gear box and diff which is probably a criminal act to the entire Ford purists.

“Traditionally they are blue and white but I went with burgundy. I saw a magazine where a South African guy had painted his burgundy and really liked the look of it.”

All-in-all the Cobra of Jim’s design is a mix of contemporary and custom.

“It has tubular framing so is light-

weight ,sitting at 980kg finished. It has the old shape with nothing square and all straight lines.”

“It has on-board brakes and an independent diff system at the back so it’s a bit like being in a go-kart.”

He may make a comparison to a go-kart but Jim’s Cobra is for cruising the open road, something it does easily.

“Denise and I wanted to make it a car we could just take out and drive. I think that is exactly what we have got.

“We built it to cruise in. That’s why I went with the automatic gearbox.

“Anyone can get in and drive it without fighting with the clutch and the gears when there isn’t a lot of room.”

It has been on the road since 2007 and took two years to build, starting life as a Jaguar.

“I had an XJ6 Jaguar that had been changed to the Chev engine, gearbox and the diff.

“So I stripped it down and gave the parts to the experts.”

In the end Jim got a Cobra with plenty of bite but perfect for a Sunday drive.

“We only take it out when it is sunny.

“Being an open-top roadster you don’t take it out in the rain. If you take it out and it starts to rain you’re soaked pretty quickly.”

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18

Weddings advertising feature

YOU lifestyle

A moment that lasts a lifetime Hamish and Amanda Wright (nee Niblett) were married at the Plains Vintage Railway on February 25, 2012.

The ceremony was held in the historic Waterton Chapel, performed by Reverend Dr Kevin Wills.

After a ceremony in front of family and friends, guests were treated to steam train rides on the Plains Railway’s K88 while the bridal party had further photos taken offlocation at the Tinwald Domain and Wakanui Beach.

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YOU lifestyle

advertising feature

19

The lights are on and EVERYBODY’s home

By Amanda Wright

Imagine being able to illuminate your home the way you want, bright in areas where maximum vision is important, soft and warm in areas of intimate relaxation. Optimum control at the flick of a switch, the turn of a knob. Now imagine that the lighting that performs just how you want it to, looks sensational, adding style and opulence to your living. From romantic crystal arrangements in the bedroom to a chic and dramatic fitting in the lounge. Imagine if that same lighting actually saved you money, providing performance and style for less than your current lighting arrangement. Stop dreaming because today all of this and more is possible, locally and affordable with Laser Electrical.

The home is where we entertain with our family and friends, where our best memories are made and kept, and where we unwind and relax at the end of the day. You’ve spent a lot of money in creating the perfect home, so lighting is the best way to truely showcase each area.

Featuring the latest and most comprehensive innovations in residential lighting, Laser Electrical and Lighting maintain a high level of focus on energy-efficient products and are committed to reducing energy consumption without compromising style. This means that the performance and look you desire, can actually save you money on your power bill.

If it’s not on show, we can source the perfect light to complement any room in the home, including the revolutionary Switch range of LED lighting. LED lighting is the way of the future. They consume less energy, last longer, illuminate instantly, can run off a very low voltage, once

installed require no maintenance and there isn’t any dangerous filament or glass tube to shatter. Best of all there is a solution to add light and style to every area of the home.

Let us visit you at your home for a free lighting consultancy service. We can use our expertise to match the right light in the right area of your home to tailor a lighting solution to completely transform your environment.

If you bring us your house plan, we can consult with you to design a complete lighting plan, every light switch and fixture to suit your individual living arrangement. As a locally owned and operated company we can arrive at your house quickly, to show you how different styles of shades and fittings will look in your own home. We are proud to offer this as a free service.

Because we stand by everything we sell and install, we constantly research and test the quality and features of the lighting we supply, to ensure you receive a quality product, utilised to its full potential.

With competitive pricing options, we can create a solution to add a “wow” factor in your home, no matter what your lighting budget is. Let us tailor an individual solution to help make your home shine.

Let us light up your home Whether you are building a new home or renovating, when it comes to lighting, we can help you.

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When you purchase any lighting solution through Laser Electrical, you can be assured that you have purchased a quality solution, which will be cost effective and “totally dependable”. Backed by our quality guarantee, if you experience any issue with your installation, our follow-up service will ensure a fast and effective solution.

Light up your world with a trip to Laser Electrical’s lighting showroom.

YOU and your travels

20

Living an

Irish Christmas

F

By Erin Tasker

or Bev and Graham Stevens, Christmas 2011 was like no other.

They spent it in Ireland. It’s somewhere they’d never been before but it is a country that their daughter Sarah and her Irish husband Aidan call home.

So for them, the three-week trip was an opportunity to see Sarah and Aidan, see where they lived and worked, and explore a new country.

And they liked what they found.

It was winter and it was cold, but that didn’t stop them from getting out and about.

Sarah and Aidan live in Navan, about an hour’s drive from Dublin, and for the first couple of days Bev and Graham explored the town in County Meath which has a population of about 25,000.

They then headed south with Sarah and Aidan, stopping at Kilkenny where they explored Kilkenny Castle, before heading to Killarney.

From there they went to Adare and looked around the many houses with thatched roofs before continuing on to Limerick and then back to Navan.

There they celebrated Christmas in the traditional Irish way, with a big cooked breakfast – mushrooms, tomatoes, sausages, black pudding at 9am, followed by the main Christmas dinner at 4pm.

Next on their list of places to explore was Dublin, the capital of Ireland, and they spent two days doing a hop-on hop-off bus tour which took them around the city’s popular tourist haunts, including the Guinness and Jamesons breweries.

“And I even managed to down my pint of

The harsh and hauntingly beautiful landscapes surrounding the lodge will take your breath away.

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Newgrange – a Stone Age passage tomb – constructed over 5000 years ago.

Bev and Graham Stevens explored Ireland over Christmas last year, including Ross Castle.

Guinness,” Bev said.

With Dublin ticked off the list the couple borrowed their daughter’s car to do some further exploring, this time heading north and west. They struck it pretty good with the

Irish weather. Mostly it was fine and they did see some sun – and some snowflakes – but the day they went to see Ireland’s most visited tourist attraction, the majestic Cliffs of Moher, the fog rolled in and they didn’t get to

Below – Multi-coloured houses in Trim.

“Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail” Ralph Waldo Emerson

photos supplied

see them.

But the weather came good for their visit to Galway – Ireland’s third largest city.

Back in Navan, they took in some of the nearby tourist attractions like Newgrange

Below – Thatched roofs in Adare.

Be

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YOU

21

Ma ultiple r g a r e t

Dublin’s Christmas Tree, which changes colour, lit up the city centre.

and the Hill of Tara.

Driving in a strange country can be daunting, but Graham said Ireland wasn’t bad. The biggest issues were the narrow country roads and the lack of road signs.

“It’s relatively easy to get around and the people were very easy-going; it didn’t seem to take them long to work out where we were from,” Graham said.

elow – Ross Castle, one of the many castles dotted around the Irish landscape.

bove – Kylemore Abbey.

Wi inner l s o n

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Mid Canterbury

YOU

22

multi-cultural

Photo Johnny Houston 050412-060

Loving their new life in New Zealand, Ukranian family Tanya and Dimitri Brudnytskyy and their daughters Aniella, 2, and Ivanna, almost 7.

Kiwis for keeps F

By Sue Newman

or Tanya and Dimitri Brudnytskyy, the Ukraine may be the home of their hearts, but New Zealand is the home where they know their future lies.

The couple grew up in the city of Kodyma in the Odessa region of the Ukraine and that meant the Black Sea and the forests and mountains of that region were their playground. It was a beautiful place to live and it offered everything a city could, but it didn’t offer the one thing they wanted for themselves and their family – opportunity.

“Here you can plan for a future; in the Ukraine you can’t even plan to the next year.

And the corruption, that’s absolutely the worst thing. The government in the Ukraine does not look after its people.”

And in the Ukraine, it is not uncommon for people in power to have had backgrounds that were less than squeaky clean, Dimitri said, with the country’s president having spent at least one stint in jail.

Here people can look to the future with certainty and they can plan to achieve things that would have been impossible in the Ukraine, such as home ownership. And in New Zealand you can have ambition, you can set goals that you know you will achieve, Dimitri said.

He first came to New Zealand as a 22-yearold in 2002 when he took a break from his doctor of veterinary science studies. For two years he worked on a dairy farm, before returning home to complete his degree. But that stint in New Zealand convinced Dimitri that his future lay outside his home country.

“I had been in England and when I came back I asked where I could go next. People told me about New Zealand and the dairy farms there. I was looking for somewhere to make some money, but after I stopped here, well I stayed and when I’d been here two years, I’d already made the decision to come back and stay here.”

His return home not only saw him complete his studies, it also saw him meet Tanya, his future wife, and as a couple they returned to New Zealand in 2006.

Dimitri may have been a qualified veterinary doctor who had spent six years gaining his qualifications, but to practise in New Zealand he needed to undertake further study. That came with a $10,000 price tag, something he says he’s a long way from being able to afford right now. But in the future, who knows?

During the family’s first three years living in Ashburton, Dimitri worked nightshifts at Talleys and Tanya became a stay-at-home mum as first Ivanna and then Aniella were born.

“Now I’m working in South Pacific Meats

coolstore. But I know I will one day be part of management because you can make plans in New Zealand for the future. Everything in New Zealand is different, but it’s different in a good way.”

Making a new life away from your home is not always easy and when Dimitri arrived in New Zealand alone he missed his family.

That’s all changed today.

“Yes, I miss my parents and Tanya really misses her family, but this is my family now.

When we lived in the Ukraine it was good, but it is not a place that is very good for a new generation. New Zealand is now our home.”

Life in the Ukraine is changing rapidly and many of the traditions that were at the heart of society have disappeared. One of the changes that concerns Dimitri as a father, is the changes that have occurred with teenagers.

Where once the Ukranian society was strongly hierarchical and built on respect of one generation for the next, that respect has disappeared with today’s teenagers, he said.

The Brudnystskyy family still maintains strong ties with the Ukraine, believing regular trips back to see family are important in retaining their cultural links.

“We went back two years ago and had six months there. It was tempting to stay, but then we looked back at New Zealand and realised this is where our life is now. They

realised that being in the Ukraine as visitors with money to spend was vastly different to living, working and raising a family there as a permanent resident, he said.

“To make money over there is not easy, even though the lifestyle is much different, much better in the cities, but here it is much better in the smaller villages.”

But where New Zealand wins is in the opportunities it offers.

In terms of weather, the Ukraine is a country of extremes – very cold winters with months of heavy snow and very hot summers. New Zealand’s more temperate climate has taken a little adjusting to, Dimitri says.

One of the biggest hurdles when Dimitri first came to New Zealand was his limited English, but today he’s mastered the language. Tanya is still learning and both girls are bilingual.

They now consider themselves Kiwis, but know they’ll continue to return to the Ukraine as visitors; in many ways it is still the home of their hearts, and they’re hoping some of their family will come to visit and maybe stay.

In Ashburton they are just one of a handful of Ukranian families, but they say they’re happy to be integrating into the community.

They may not be Ashburtonians for the future, tagging Rolleston as the place they want to settle, but they will be Kiwis for keeps.

“We feel very comfortable in New Zealand.”

YOU

23

Food from the Ukraine

A

sk a Ukranian how to prepare borsch and they’ll tell you there is no single correct way.

Each cook has their own idea about the ingredients to be used and the way the national soup is cooked. Borsch is not just a regular meal; it is also one of Ukraine’s national symbols. Each region in the Ukraine has its own style to its borsch recipe. All the recipes have different names to distinguish them from each other.

Zaporozhste

yoghurt chicken Serves 4

Method

• Combine yoghurt, lemon juice, mustard, garlic, and other spices.

• Place breadcrumbs in separate bowl.

• Rinse chicken and pat dry • Dip each breast first into yoghurt

Recipe of the month Congratulations to last months winner

Ingredients

1 T lemon juice 2 t yellow mustard 2 bay leaves 1 c carrots shredded 1 t dill fresh, chopped 2 large cloves garlic, crushed 1 t nutmeg 1/2 t thyme 1 1/2 C yoghurt, plain 1 1/2 C plain breadcrumbs 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts Salt and pepper to taste

mixture, covering top and bottom.

• Roll each piece in breadcrumbs, coating the chicken.

• Bake in a 190 degree, pre-heated oven for 45 minutes.

• Serve with either rice or noodles.

Baked eggplant chicken Serves 4 / time 25 mins

Ingredients 4 skin-on chicken breasts Small handful Fresh herb: rosemary, or thyme, or tarragon ½ cup water 2 tbsp olive oil Salt and pepper Filling ½ cup breadcrumbs 3 tbsp cream cheese 3 tbsp Barkers eggplant chutney

Method

Ukranian borsch

Ingredients

Ukranian

borsch Serves 6

Method

• Chop carrots and beetroots finely and grate or chop onion.

• Put in small saucepan. Add to saucepan with sugar, butter, some broth or water and vinegar.

• Cook for 20 minutes, then add tomatoes and cook further 20 minutes.

• In a heavy saucepan with meat

2 red beetroots 1 carrot 1 onion 4 potatoes 1/2 cabbage 4 tomatoes 1T butter 1T sugar 1 t vinegar 3 cloves garlic 3 pieces lard parsley 3 litres of cooked meat broth (with meat) bay-leaf black pepper and salt broth, put chopped potatoes and cabbage and boil for 10 minutes.

Then add braised vegetables, black pepper, bay-leaf to taste and boil again for 10 minutes.

• Rub 3 cloves garlic, combine 3 pieces of finely-chopped lard and rubbed garlic.

• Add with parsley to the saucepan and serve with sour cream.

Patricia Weir Ashburton

1. Preheat oven 180C 2. Mix all filling ingredients together in a small bowl 3. Using the tip of a small knife, cut a pocket into the middle of each chicken breast, then evenly fill each chicken breast with the chutney filling 4. Heat a frying pan, drizzled with olive oil. Place the chicken breasts skin side down and cook for 3-4 minutes until lightly golden. Turn over and repeat for the underside.

5. Place fresh herbs into a baking dish, top with the chicken breasts and any oil from the fry pan, water and finally season with salt and milled pepper.

6. Place in the preheated oven, bake for approximately 18 minutes or until chicken is completely cooked through.

WIN

Tasty treats since 1969.

They’re all

here for sampling at our Geraldine shop.

Four Peaks Plaza Talbot Street, Geraldine Open 7 Days 9.00am to 5.30pm Phone/Fax: 03 693 9727 Email: barkers.shop@barkers.co.nz

www.barkers.co.nz

TO TEKAPO

A Barkers gift tub

To enter the draw, please post your details to: Barkers Competition Attn: Amanda Wright PO Box 77 Ashburton 7700 Or email:Amanda.w@theguardian.co.nz Only one entry per household please. inners will be notified by phone or email and name published in our next edition of YOU.

TO TIMARU

TALBOT ST TO CHRISTCHURCH

Heatpumps Efficient home heating

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smith+ smith+church smith +church Alister

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Moore Street, Ashburton telephone 03 308 9019