“Every cloud has a silver lining” was an expression from the English poet John Milton.
Now, last May, the day before Bonni’s month long retreat, several of these clouds burst open and a deluge ensued. The lovely and peaceful little stream on the stream track became a raging torrent, taking with it both banks of the stream, along with trees, soil, debris and our two bridges. It fanned out onto our neighbours, Ian and Heidi’s property, wiping out fences, flooding the Wangapeka River road and littering the paddocks with rocks and boulders.
Back to our two wiped out bridges. The top one, a foot bridge leading to our water source was nowhere to be seen and we need to assess the risks involved with the huge mass of debris just above where it used to be before we attempt to build another one. This bridge is not on our property and therefore not insured, BUT the lower bridge, a vehicle bridge, was on our property and thanks to our very comprehensive insurance policy, the loss adjustor for the insurance company has deemed that it is insured and therefore we are entitled to a replacement.
This original vehicle bridge was a very basic structure built by our previous land caretaker, Brandon, and made of split robinia logs. Fortunately, we have a very nice photo of Brandon standing in front of his masterpiece with the tractor on the bridge. We sent this photo to our insurers and they are satisfied that our policy covers a replacement.
Now, the silver lining!! Our very basic and rustic structure will be replaced by a robust new bridge, built to today’s specifications, designed by engineers and built by professionals. who will also ensure that all necessary permits are obtained beforehand. The design has been completed, costings done and tenders for the erection of the bridge sent out. We are insured for up to $100,000 and the cost must remain below that figure. Our cost will be the excess on our policy of $500.00 We can expect the bridge to be built sometime this winter, as we need to wait until the retreats are over.
So, THE STORM CLOUD DID HAVE A SILVER LINING!!!
We will put a photo of the new bridge on the website when completed.
Cheers
Pierre Mitchell
Treasurer, on behalf of the Board