Entrance Gate

I checked up on this blog this morning, to discover, to my dismay, that I have been a very lazy blogger this year, with August 2015 a very threadbare posting period. Let's try and rectify that, I thought to myself.  

So, what can I write about? What is a blog? Essentially, a blog is web-based page consisting of informal writing,published on an ongoing basis,with the newest (latest) posts appearing first -- the reverse of a written book. And the subject matter? Well, anything goes, apparently. This blog does not cater for the commercial aspects -- I'm not trying to sell any goods or services, and I do not earn revenue from reader traffic. 

Rather I waffle. Mostly. Mainly about this and that, a sort of personal-public diary of my experiences, or events which I find interesting. 

Mmmm. What is interesting at the moment? Mmmm. 

What about opinions and expectations about upcoming World Cup Rugby? Too many arguments there, and probably few who are actually interested. Anyway, like it or not, my prediction for the final:  All Blacks 32 - Opponents 26

Oh! Oh! Oh! What about the flag? Mmmm.

I know it's too early...I know you want to retain the current flag... 

But... The Flag Panel has reviewed all 10,292 suggested flag designs and announced an official long list of 40 flag designs. The designs included in the long list will go forward for further investigation as part of the official design review process. In mid-September, the Panel will announce the 4 alternatives which will be ranked in the first binding referendum.

Although I can hear the "Looks-like-pirates" objections being shouted from the rooftops, after giving quite a bit of serious thought to the matter, both my flags are pirate-based:

I am impressed by the "Seven Stars of Matariki" designed by Matthew Clare as my first choice

And the next one, although it excludes the Maori interest, I find nevertheless interesting, is called the Southern Cross Horizon, by Sven Baker, as below:

My prediction? I suspect that, after the panel stuff and the selection and voting, the current flag will be retained after all.

"But," you comment, "I really don't care," and you ask,"Why the 'Gate' title to the blog?"

Aha. That's the personal-public diary bit. You see.

We live in Kents Road. Which is rural. A narrow country road (lane, probably, by the British definition),with no sidewalk, pavement, kerb or formal gutters. But, part of the extended family includes two large Labradors, who have never really been exposed to playing in the traffic. So, an entrance gate at the end of the driveway is a necessity. And we have just received delivery of the new wooden gate from the Gate Guy  -- he's not really called the 'Gate Guy', but he is the 'gate' equivalent of 'The Pool Guy.' If that makes any sense.

This is thus the first diary entry for gate matters. There will probably be two more in the near future, just to document our progress.

The two half-gates stacked on a pallet on the lawn, awaiting arrival of the installation guys.

Some of the 11 panels for the post-cladding of the same Macrocarpa wood as the gates,
which are being coated with the Cabot's decking oil.

The workmen are scheduled to arrive early next week to attend to the installation of the gate. Until then.