The most beautiful view in the world...

... was not on show when I went to see it on Monday. I was extremely fortunate to have to go to Milford Sound with work, but unfortuantely it rained heavily all day and the cloud was low, so the famed view of Mitre Peak (http://tiny.cc/6Q73l) was nowhere to be seen. However the water streaming off the valley sides was spectacular in its own right and probably far more useful for me to see as a hydrologist! And I did get my first ever ride in a helicopter.

Maybe I'll have to go back again, but take Ali and the boys with me next time. I've been very lucky to see so much of the country with work, but it would be lovely to share the experience with the family. Under the current arrangement, I'm charged with having to bring back a badge each for the boys, which Ali then has to sew onto their blankets. She gets the rough end of this deal!

Two weeks ago, we had another long weekend to celebrate our regional Canterbury Day. Friday was a statutory day off work at the end of 'Cup and Show Week', so we planned to go to the Royal New Zealand Show, which is held about two miles from home. Unseasonal gales and wind put paid to our plans and so we had a lazy day at home.

The good thing about Christchurch's variable weather is that the rest of the weekend had good weather. So on the Saturday we took the foot ferry across Lyttleton Harbour to Diamond Harbour and had a good day with friends walking and playing games. Then on Sunday we popped over the hill to our local beach at Corsair Bay. It's a lovely sheltered cove with a gentle slopeing beach and places to jump into deeper water further round. The perfect spot for a Sunday teatime.

That Saturday night also saw me and the boys cheering on the 'All Whites' from the comfort of the sofa as they won through to next year's football World Cup. Suddenly, this rugby mad country was talking about football. Normal service resumed last weekend as the All Blacks took on England at Twickenham and won. It would be telling to say who was cheering for who as we watched the replay during breakfast on Sunday.

Ali has continued to pick up some supply/relief teaching work at the boys' school, which is giving her some good experience. She enjoys being back in the classroom and the challenge of adapting her British resources for the Kiwi curriculem. Talking of school, Matthew brought home a lovely Maori-design fish hook that he'd carved from soap. He was able to tell us the meaning behind the different symbols he'd carved.

I joined Josh and the rest of his cub pack on Saturday for an afternoon's climbing up at Rapaki Rock on the Port Hills. A warm wind blew and the sun shone on a great afternoon where all the boys had a go at some quite tricky climbs. I spent the afternoon on the other end of a rope, belaying the intrepid boys. Josh gave it a good go, even trusting me to belay him on one climb! We then walked back down into the city down a valley that could easily have been in the Pennines. At the bottom of the vally, we were met by the unmistakably smells of that Kiwi institution - a sausage sizzle - that Ali and Matthew had helped set up.



We were all out with cubs again last night as parent helpers on a cycle ride to one of the local parks. It was like herding cats!

So that's an update of the last two weeks. It's been busy but fun. And thank you for those that have been asking for an update. It's nice to know that I'm not just writing for myself. Bye.

Hubble Bubble & Fireworks

It's been a busy couple of weeks. In the week after we got back from Tekapo, we all felt a bit down. Was it homesickness for the UK or just one of those lulls in the vibrancy of life. Something we've learnt is to take stock and find the real reason if things seem bad. It's so easy to jump to the conclusion that it's because we're in NZ and it's easy to forget that we all had bad days in the UK. But I'd be lying if I said that there weren't days when we miss people, places and things.

One thing that we certainly haven't missed has been Halloween. I always found it a dark period and hated the piles of tacky evil merchandise in the stores. Fortunately, Halloween was very low key here in Christchurch. There was hardly anything in the shops, a bit of a debate on its growing influence in the paper and (Hallelujah!) no 'trick or treaters'.

On Thursday, I was up in Rotorua on the North Island. Fortunately, the timing of my flight home gave me chance to have a quick look at the thermal pools in the city centre park. While the video clips will give you and idea of the sights, you are fortunate that 'smellyvision' isn't yet available. The eggy sulpherous smell around the park and at various other places in the city certainly leaves an impression. The only other time I've smelt anything similar was near a chemical works in Rotherham!



Bonfire night is celebrated here and we missed no opportunity to share the news that old Guido Fawkes was a son of York and had been baptised at St Mike's. Oh, why do we celebrate proximity to notoriety? Ali and the boys picked me up from the airport and we whizzed round to the beach suburb of New Brighton along with half of Christchurch to watch the City Council's firework display on the pier. It seemed strange to be walking along the beach to watch fireworks. The other difference is that we had to wait until 9pm for it to be dark enough for the fireworks as we are now in southern hemisphere summer.


Having settled me and the boys into work and school respectively, Ali got the chance to return to the classroom for paid employment this week. Having volunteered two days per week at the boy's school for the last few weeks, she applied to go on the supply teacher list and almost immediately was asked to cover Wednesday afternoon. A phonecall at 7.30 on Wednesday morning saw her teaching all of Wednesday and then again on Friday. Class and teacher survived!

Anyway, it's Saturday morning and there's a lawn that needs cutting, so I'll bid you farewell and look forward to hearing from you with your news.

Tekapo Time

Our first 'bank holiday' weekend and we headed south to Lake Tekapo. The journey took about three hours in a car laden down by four bikes. We were staying in a 'bach' (or holiday home) with another Christchurch family and their two boys. Tekapo is famous for one of the views of the South Island. On the edge of the village and at the southern end of the lake stands the diminutive church of the Good Shepherd. There's no need for stained glass in this church as the panoramic window takes in the full glory of creation
.

Naturally enough, every tour bus between Queenstown and Christchurch disgorges its load who swarm around the church. So early morning and evening were the times to visit and wallow in the splendour of the setting. Close to the church is a bronze statue of a collie dog, honouring those tireless workers whose help was essential in opening up the MacKenzie region during the 1800's.

We climbed to the top of neighbouring Mt St John on Saturday and had a drink at the summit cafe, which is part of the University of Canterbury Observatory which sits atop the mountain and makes best use of the crystal clear night skies. An unsuccessful attempt to catch a couple of trout finished off a fantastic day. Sunday was a lazier day, spent partly at MacGregor Lake (below) and partly at the hot outdoor pools by Lake Tekapo.


A cycle ride past the hydro-electric scheme (busman's holiday?) on Monday was followed by lunch and packing the car. We left as the first drops of rain started to fall. It rained continuously until we were back in Christchurch, but at least that saved me from having to cut the grass once we were home (so it wasn't all bad!).

Sorry, folks but you've got a piccy of me to finish with, this time.

Time passes quickly and our first 'road trip'

Is it really over two weeks since I posted an update?

The boys have been on holdiay from school for the last two weeks, so Ali's been busy arranging days out and meeting up with friends. The boys had a sleep over last weekend and we then went to the Christchurch model railway exhibition, which was brilliant and included slot car dragster racing, which Matt won (Josh having taken the honours in the Scalextric racing.

On the middle Sunday of the holiday we revisited Ilam Baptist Church and are keen to get involved there. It's very friendly and reminds us of G2 (our church in York that was part of St Michael-le-Belfrey) in many ways.

I had a couple of days in Auckland last week with work, which gave me chance to explore the 'big city' in the evening. In typical fashion, I escaped the bright lights and took a ferry out to Waiheke Island in the gulf for the evening.

This weekend we headed up to Nelson at the top of the South Island to visit friends, Jo and Andrew. We'd planned to go there via Lewis Pass (894m), but with snow forecast down to 200m we took the coast road via Kaikora and Blenheim. The weather was atrocious as we drove through alternating snow and lashing rain. But at least it gave us chance to see the seals just north of Kaikora as we huddled in the car eating our pies (a great NZ institution).



Fortunately the weather on Saturday and Sunday was brilliant and so we spent Saturday morning at the arts & crafts market in Nelson and the afternoon on the beach at Rabbit Island. A leisurely Sunday morning at the 'hands on' aquarium in Mapua was followed by a stunning drive home that included a quick snow ball fight at the summit of Lewis Pass.

The Flying Fox of Spencer Park

A fairly quiet week and the good weather finally broke. Maybe it was with good timing that I'd planted a few vegetables in the garden as we got a bit of rain. Fortunately, we missed the remnants of the Australian dust storms that had engulfed Sydney and Brisbane. They affected Auckland and the North Island a bit. The boys have broken up for school for two weeks and we've had a busy week socially. Someone had a birthday during the week, but as the video shows, she's not acting her age!!



We discovered Spencer Park reserve yesterday to the north of the city. It had great climbing frames (as seems typical of Christchurch playgrounds), but also three long 'flying foxes' or aerial runways that we all had a go on. A five minute walk through the forest and we were on the beach with the surf crashing in. As per usual, someone had to go for a paddle.


Today was a good day, in that we might have found a church that suits us all and is relatively near. Only time will tell. It's also been good to entertain guests and be invited out by friends this week. It's the relationships that will really help us settle. We feel blessed.

And finally, another pretty picture of the valley just up from home. A less pretty picture yesterday afternoon was my panting face as I tackled the steep climb to the right of the picture on my bike for the first time. Dodgy gears and a lack of fitness dashed my hopes for next year's mountain stages of the Tour de France. Still, the challenge has been laid down and my goal is to climb Worsley Road (check it out on Street View, it's steep!)

Until next time, Bye

A few of our favourite things...

To celebrate 50 days in New Zealand, we thought it was time to let you know:

• Five things we like
• Five things we don't like or miss (You can probably guess that missing family and friends is top for all of us)
  
• The best day so far

So here goes...

Matt
Five things I like are:

1. School activities like the range of things to do, including sport. The work is more challenging
   
2. The atmosphere and landscape
   
3. Everyone is friendly (well most are)
   
4. Weather
   
5. Ice cream choices like 'hokey pokey'

Five things I don't like or miss are:

1. Missing friends and family
   
2. TV channels are rubbish
   
3. Boys shoes are bad
   
4. Ketchup
   
5. Grapes

The best day so far was the first that I played in a touch rugby match at school

Josh
Five things I like are:

1. People in New Zealand are friendly
   
2. New flavours of ice cream such as Orange Choc Chip
   
3. Doing a lot more sport at school, like rugby, football and cricket
   
4. The toy shops are good
   
5. Family outdoor activities
   

Five things I don't like or miss are:

1. Missing family and friends
2. Shoes
   
3. TV channels
4. Missing English pronunciation
   
5. No theme parks
   

The best day so far was biking at McLeans Island (which isn't an island)

Ali
Five things I like are:

1. The close proximity of a range of different sceneries; beach, the 'Lakes' (aka Port Hills), 'Switzerland' (aka Mount Hutt), 'France' (aka Akaroa), Christchurch centre and shops.
   
2. Having met the Payne family at Singaport airport; Chris has become a good friend - just what I needed! Also having the Smiths nearby (older and younger) - always a delight to see familiar, friendly faces.
   
3. The 'can do' attitude of New Zealanders; they are eager to give a good service and please.
   
4. Children can be children and enjoy their childhood for longer; there doesn't seem to be the pressure to grow up too quickly.
   
5. Range and choice of restaurants and really good value; huge yummy icecreams for the equivalent of 60p!!
   

Five things I don't like or miss are:

1. Miss family and friends and don't like having to remember what time it is in the UK when we phone/skype.
   
2. The poor choice of good quality shoes - Sorry to Mum & Dad for having to post out shoes for Matthew from the UK!
   
3. The NZ 'Marmite' - yes, it may be called the same name but is not a patch on the real thing! Oh and ready to serve custard - when I asked at the supermarket they thought I was barmy!
   
4. The English National Curriculum - it would be great if I could just get a job using what I know already, without having to get my head around a different curriculum.
5. Still seeking the right church near us in Christchurch; will be great to be part of a Christian family again soon.
   

The best day so far was cycling at Mclean's Forest - beautiful sunny day, fun cycle track around the forest and great company with my three boys!

Mike
Five things I like are:

1. The landscape and scenery; from the Southern Alps to the beaches, forests and Port Hills. It's stunning and accessible.
   
2. Work is interesting and challenging. It's also given me the chance to travel to the North Island.
   
3. The welcome we've received, whether it be at work or from friends (new and old).
   
4. NZ pies and ice cream, though not at the same time!
   
5. The NZ 'get up and go' attitude to life.
   

Five things I don't like or miss are:

1. Missing Mum & Dad and others, though we've spent more time on the phone and Skype than ever before.
   
2. We haven't found a good church in our part of Christchurch...yet!
   
3. I'm missing 'The Guardian' and the butcher's shop in Tadcaster.
   
4. I've less free time than I had in the UK
   
5. I miss similies being completed! Kiwis describe things as "Sweet as" or "Big as" or "Good as", but never complete the phrase (see the blog link to the 'beached whale' for some fine examples.
   

The best day so far was going skiing at Mt Hutt. Good snow and less than two hours from home.

Our little kiwi and a trip over Mt Doom

It's the end of our first full week at No.186 and it's starting to feel more like home. I guess that whenever you move house, it seems strange at first. It's as though you are on holiday but never go home and at that point the new house begins to be home. Maybe having moved so far, the feeling is exaggerated.

I left the 'Mainland' (South Island) for the first time last week, heading up to the Bay of Plenty for a couple of site visits with work. It was great to get out and see a bit more of the country, even if it did mean an early start and four flights in one day! The views from the plane were amazing as we went from Wellington to Tauranga, during which we flew right over the snow-capped crater of Mt Ngauruhoe (better known as Mt Doom in the Lord Of the Rings films). The picture of the top is where I had lunch on my day 'oop north'. It's a tough job, but someone's got to do it!

Fortunately, my flights were with those capable but not too serious people at Air New Zealand. The cabin crew treat their customers as people, with friendly informality... On which other airline would the stewardess refuse to serve my snack of chips (crisps!) until I had pronounced it in a kiwi accent so that it sounds like 'choups'? And the safety video is worth a second look. Check it out at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-Mq9HAE62Y. Brilliant

We've had a busy weekend. Yesterday, we were cycling at McLeans Island on the banks of the Waimakariri. Our bikes are well and truly 'christened' with NZ dust after 15km through the forest on a track that included lots of humps and fast banked corners. Today we were 'church hunting' again and then had friends round for our first NZ Sunday roast dinner. The Yorkshire Puddings rose!

Last night, I sat and watched the rugby on TV with the boys. As the Springboks increased their lead over the All Blacks, Josh turned to me and uttered the telling words "I don't think we are going to win this". Maybe, he'll be trading his England rugby shirt in for one with the silver fern on it!

As I've written this, the sun has set and the view (below) from the office has faded for another day. So farewell for now and thanks to all of you that contacted me at the end of last week. Your thoughts were much appreciated.