Life is not measured ....

Mollie and Paul in Christchurch

It has been 10 months since we last saw Ben’s mum and Paul and we are thrilled that they too have been able to make the long journey out to see us. On the way over Mollie and Paul had a brief stopover in Dubai and then a few days in Sydney. It was weird to speak to them in Sydney as they were so close and then a week ago today they did the last short hop across the water to Christchurch. Ben managed to take a late lunch from work and so we were all able to go and meet them from the airport.

The last week has flown by, Ben has 2 sisters (Lucy and Charlotte) and 2 brothers (Matthew and Simon) and Louise and Daniel have 8 cousins so there has been plenty of catching up to do. We spent the first evening out on the deck enjoying a BBQ and some bubbly and most other evenings we have spent chatting and refining our bridge skills. On Tuesday, the kids were pleased to see Kate, our babysitter, and the four of us went through into Lyttelton for a meal at the Volcano Café. One of our favourite places to eat out, quirky with bustling atmosphere and great food, we were not disappointed.

We have spent the last week in and around Christchurch, taking a ride on the tram, visiting the Arts Centre which is the original site of the university and is now full of craft shops and of course Fudge Cottage, walking round the botanic gardens and watching the punters go down the river Avon (even after all this time here, it still amuses us to see all the English street names, croquet too is a popular game!).

At the weekend we had our Christmas (and birthdays) number 2. We opened presents together and then as it was raining opted to have our picnic indoors. It did brighten up later and so we went down to Rapaki and had a game of cricket – Mollie had never played before but you wouldn’t have known it as she belted the ball up in the air. We returned to Rapaki a couple of days later when it was hot and sunny and met up with some friends and managed a swim in the sea. The following day we drove round to Diamond Harbour, stopping off at Governor’s bay for a walk and then heading to the pub for lunch. Diamond Harbour is almost opposite Lyttelton Port and to get to it is a pleasant hour long drive winding round the various bays on the way.

On Monday evening we went to Willowbank which is a wildlife reserve and also the site for the Ko Tane, Maori experience. Having been once before and knowing the routine, Louise quietly asked if grandpa could be the chief for the night. The guide duly obliged, much to Paul’s surprise and the kids were thrilled. Grandpa had to perform the traditional Maori greeting and when we were ambushed, had to decide if we went into battle or remained peaceful. Luckily grandpa chose the second option and we were then taken into a hut to enjoy the rest of the performance. Paul also had a go at doing the Haka and Louise enjoyed taking part in the Poi twirling.

Sharon who will now do almost anything for a photo, got into a bit of hot water taking photos as since we were there two weeks ago have changed their policy and you are now no longer allowed to take pictures. I am now “discussing” this with them as I think they are doing it purely for commercial reasons rather than to protect the culture (we were positively encouraged to take photos the first time round). Having been at the sharp end of customer support, I’m doing my diplomatic best – RM I hope you would be proud of me! Anyway enjoy the pictures, I risked being thrown out and had a bit of explaining to with the children about breaking the rules, so I hope you like them!

Photos from Mollie and Paul's first week in Christchurch

Granny and grandpa have now taken the kids down to Lake Tekapo for a couple of days and when Ben finishes work tomorrow evening, we will drive down there to join them and will then spend the rest of the week exploring around Queenstown and Fiordland

posted by Sharon, Ben, Louise and Daniel @ 4:07 am