All systems are back to normal at the practice, as we prepare ourselves for the winter season. I am attaching with this newsletter a file about our Cold and Flu Kit. You can purchase the Full Cold and Flu Kit, or a smaller version, or just individual remedies from the Kit.
Most winters people have found these remedies really helpful, and last year, with the concern about the H1N1 (Swine) virus they really took off. People have even been posting them to their families overseas!
Have you seen the exhibition of Chinese Embroidery at the Buddhist Centre in Riccarton Road, on the corner of Harakeke Street? They are quite amazing.
As you know already, I have a solid background in medicine, and although I also offer alternative methods of treatment, the medical part of my practice is the foundation of the practice. So even if you choose alternative ways of treatment I still make sure that the medical aspects have been covered, and give you medical advice.
I really enjoy using Homeopathy, and use this as the mainstay of my treatment. There is so much it can do to improve people’s health and wellbeing, both with and without using conventional medicine.
If you are wondering whether homeopathy could help you, or a family member or friend, please do not hesitate to contact me and talk to me about it.
I see Flower Essences them as being able to help with emotional issues and stress, and dealing with these can help with people’s physical health as well. The Flower Essences that I use routinely are from Flower Essence Services, Star Essences, Himalayan Flower Enhancers, Mount Shasta Support Essences, and Glastonbury Holy Flower Essences.
I had the inspiration to photograph flowers and make Flower Essences some time ago, and these became the Christchurch Flower Essences.
As well as kits for practitioners, there are a number of Blended Essences that you can buy over-the-counter, both individually and as a set.
The names of the Blended Essences reflect the qualities that they are used for: Awareness, Balance, Energy, Growth, Guidance, Harmony, Inspiration, Life Path, Openness, Relief, Transformation and Truth. I have a slide show presentation about Christchurch Flower Essences of these in the near the front door, and a display opposite the stairs, so please come in and have a look.
A man came in to look at the house recently, as his grandparents lived here in the 1940s and 50s, so I looked up a bit more information about it.
The drainage plan was submitted in 1907, the same time as the house next door (where the Motels are now). So presumably the house is now 103 years old. It was built for a mechanic in the early days of Christchurch. It is in Arts and Crafts style, and someone has said they thought it was by the early Christchurch architect Samuel Hurst Seagar – if you know anything about this, please let me know.
People have also said that it was used as a Malaysian Embassy.
When this man’s grandparents owned it, there were no stairs in the front entrance – only a small partial staircase in the far right hand corner. There was a verandah in the curved part at the front, where the reception area is now.
The room I use as my consulting room was their main living room, and the two windows by the fireplace had stained glass depictions of summer and winter.
The side room opposite the stairs was an office for the grandfather.
A passageway led to the back of the house, where the stairs are now. The room now opposite the entrance was a bedroom opening off the passageway. There was a pantry, and various spaces for servants. By the old back door there was a panel, and bells would ring, like in Upstairs Downstairs. There were four different bells, but now there are only two buttons in the consulting room with “PRESS” on them. I joke that when I push them I have to come running as well.
The man’s grandfather added on to two areas – a room near the back that was their dining room, and a sun porch behind the kitchen at the back. As he got older he used to spend more and more time there. The driveway at the back went to a garage, and behind that, where the flats now are in Sherborne Street they had a grass tennis court. Later his grandmother dug it up and planted strawberries there, for a market garden.
In the 1950s the house was owned by a well-known man who was Mr Canterbury, and I gather a venue for sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll. There were stupendous parties, I’m told.
One patient came into my consulting room and said it had very different vibes from the last time he’d been here – there was a very quiet party, and they were showing blue movies in front of the fireplace!
I have also heard about brocaded wall paper and thick curtains, and a fountain in the bathroom. And I’m told that the Mr Canterbury died early, in his 40s.
At some time it was a Rest Home, and also a student flat.
In the early 90s, I think, the house was in rack and ruin, and scheduled for demolition. There were plans for new flats in with the City Council.
I remember looking at it, and saw that it had been sold, and thinking why would anyone want to own that dump?
Well things change, and here I am.
The house was bought by Michael Lees-Jeffrey, and was lovingly repaired and renovated. He put in the large fence and gate, and that cuts out a lot of the traffic noise.
He made the front verandah into a reception area, and with a wall of mirrors that are behind the filing cabinets it was a grand entrance.
He put in the grand staircase, which only really lead to a bedroom (now a gym), bathroom and mezzanine floor.
The turret was enclosed, and he opened up part of it when the staircase was built.
He put the doors into the room opposite the front door, and had two adjoining living rooms. All of the walls and curtains were white, to show off his magnificent collection of art and objets d’art. His biggest change was that he put in a kitchen, which meant taking the old fireplace and getting rid of four rooms. He used the kitchen for catering and preparation of food for his catering business. It can also be used as a teaching and TV kitchen. There are many shelves, that housed lots of preserves, and also a flambé.
He had Canterbury Gourmet Society meetings here, and I have heard that they were memorable. Before he left, to do the renovation of the building in Governor’s Bay he had a magnificent party, with a live band in the carport, and 240 guests!
After Michael there was another family that lived here, and they also used some of the rooms for art exhibitions.
I have been here now for 18 years, and it feels like just 18 months!
In a later Blog I’ll write about the things I have done since I have been here.