Boxing Day and Southern Explores

'Boxing Day' and the Kiwi Bach...we discovered in Sumner, a wonderful cafe that captures the spirit and traditions of a New Zealand holiday home...a k a a bach. So many similarities to our Vermont cottage, we all felt right at home and settled down for good 'tucker'. Eric's broad smile lit the room. A walk on the beach followed and then the 'Sherlock Holmes' new movie... a bit of a stretch for traditionalists...but an interesting film.

Sunday, Eric caught up with his old flatmates while Helen explored the Botanical Gardens with a friend....roses galore! Monday was catch up time before our Tuesday departure towards Dunedin. Stunning coastlines, small villages, and wonderful explores - it was hard to know where to point the camera.

Tonight, Sam, Lauren and Brian join us in Dunedin. Penguins, albatross, butterflies, and the Chinese Garden make up our next few days.

We are grateful for the decades we have shared with you and look forward to 'more'. Happiest 2010 to you all.

Christmas in Christchurch

Summer Christmas in Christchurch…3 days of carols, candles, barbecues, family and laughter – what a magical time!

Christmas eve – in the afternoon, we visited Otahuna on the outskirts of Christchurch. Eric had advised the owners, 2 Haverford grads who have developed this luxury lodge on the South Island. They have restored the inn to its 19^th century glory and it was a treat to visit the gardens, orchards and lodge.

Carols on Victoria Square followed a relaxed dinner with Brian, a dear friend. The Salvation Army accompanied city choruses who led carol singing along the banks of the Avon River. At 11:00, we walked to St. Michael’s Anglican Church where Eric had sung as a chorister. St. Michael’s celebrates the highest pageantry of the Anglican Church - processions of candles, incense, and banners. The Mass began at 11:30 pm. The pews were quite full and the music glorious. However, all came to a halt – by the Crèche of the Baby Jesus – when the fire alarms went off at full blast and parishioners hurried to exit. It might have been candle and incense ‘overload’.

We huddled outside, Sam led the parishioners in a rousing verses of ‘Good King Wenceslas”, and the fire brigades began to circle at full siren. The ‘interruption did not break the Christmas spirit. At the ‘all clear’, some sloped home, and many returned to the service that ‘picked up’ right where it left off.

Christmas morning was hot and sunny – time for the ‘hardy’ to take the Christmas swim in New Brigthon. Dave and Courtney waded tentatively and Erics and Sam plunged into the Pacific. It was easy to keep my role as ‘photographer’

At noon, Eric’s family gathered at his niece’s home for a splendid barbecue. Somehow, there’s nothing like grilled sausages, chops, and wonderful salads for a Southern Hemisphere ‘barbie’. Desserts, however, were definitely ‘Northern’. – Christmas cakes, puddings, and flummeries. There was time for petonk on the lawn, children on trampolines, and easy catch ups.

Never out of room for family and wonderful NZ cooking, we shared the evening with Eric's oldest niece. Whitebait, fish, roasted vegetables and brandy snaps provide round after round of temptations - and stories and laughter were abundant.

Sam and Lauren head to Queenstown this morning…we look forward to seeing them soon in Dunedin. Happiest New Years to you all.

McFs Down Under Together

Yesterday, a very sunny day....Sam and Lauren arrived at 9:10 am....after traveling for 32.5 hours...through snow, head winds, and turbulence...and how wonderful it was to see them. With '30-Something' energy, they were ready 'to go'...and 'go' we did.

A drive through Mona Vale Gardens near the airport and on to see Aunty Crys, a quick change of clothes and off to Taylor's Mistake...a hilly windy strip that extends into the Pacific beyond Christchurch.

Sure that a 'good run' would shake off airline weariness, we drove to the top of the hills far above the beaches where we dropped them off and had a bit of a walk on the beach. Sam and Lauren followed the coastline down to Cave's Rock...where they found Eric, fish and chips and me. It was glorious sunshine with lots of hopeful sea gulls.

Naps were called for before a gathering of Eric's West Coast cousins. Eric spent many summers visiting his cousin Tony on their west coast farm. Tony's family mined for gold, built fences, had sheep, and provided long days of fun for boys. Sadly, Tony passed away before our visit - but our evening was a wonderful reunion with his daughters and their families...now all Facebook friends. It's an amazing world.

Today, a bit of a 'bend' in our plans. The good news is that New Zealand dentistry has improved hugely...the other news is that Eric visited the dentist. She is cautious in her approach until it becomes very clear what is causing pain: an infection or the need for a root canal. Eric is consulting with Dr. Elwell in New Jersey too...so options are being explored while fingers are crossed.

More later and merriest Christmas to you all.

Sunny in Christchurch

Far away from the northeast blizzard, it is sunny in Christchurch. Bright skies offer wonderful chances to explore Eric's old haunts and discover new ones. We walked down to Edmunds Gardents - established on the site of a large baking factory renown for its beautiful flowers and garden settings. The factory has disappeared yet the gardens continue in summer splendor.

Later, we hopped in the car and were off to Hagley Park...Equipped with petonk balls, we found the court and had a quick game...though as the 'newbie', it wasn't quite clear whose rules we were following. Eric won. We then spied model America's cup sailboats on a small pond. Club members had just finished a regatta...and a few boats remained among the ducks. The wind created 'world class' conditions.

Next we were off to a cricket game. Eric is the definition of patience as he tries to explain the game...yet it remained hard for me to know exactly where to point the camera. Our last afternoon stop was Hagley High School - Old West. We have delighted in reconnecting with many of Eric's classmates...and so a photo of 'the alum' was a must.

In the evening, we shared our 'first' holiday dinner with Joyce's family. Barbecue, roast vegies, and an array of Marlborough's best complemented wonderful conversations with family. The hours passed quickly.

Upon our return to the house, a message from NZ Travel shared that again, Lauren's and Sam's flight had been cancelled. ...Snow 2...S & L...0. However, the score changed thanks to Donna's tremendous detemination. She found them a Virgin Atlantic connection to LAX...and right now, they are Auckland bound. We are grateful to all who have supported their journey.

Merriest White Christmas to all of you in the 'Northern' from Christchurch.

Whitebait, Dophins and Bichons

How are we dealing with temptations...not well...So many dear friends and family have extended warm and delicious welcomes that the greatest fear is the calorie count and the greatest joys are 'the delectables': strawberries that 'food flavorists' can only dream of, fresh vegies straight from the garden and white bait.

Thursday, we headed to Alan's - a Christchurch potter and a master host. It was breezy and warm and a delight to sit on his patio. He had recently returned from sharing pottery classes in China and was eager to show us the striking pots he had imported. Outside his windowed porch is a dolphin sculture he created and mounted to swivel in the breeze.

But nothing brought more sparkle to Eric's eyes than 'pounds' of whitebait...a small herring like - minnow size - fish that hatch and return to river banks in the spring. Whitebait is a sought after delicacy that transforms sober adults into net wielding scoopers on a mission!. To look at whitebait, might not bring oohs and ahhs...it is a bit of a squirmy mess...but cooked in egg, the fritter becomes a delicacy. Alan did not let us down. Eric helped with the cooking...and every bite was delicious.

Sam and Lauren - due to arrive Monday morning - will now arrive Tuesday morning...thanks to NZ Travel in Langhorne, PA who have quickly rebooked their flights after the blizzard's cancellations.

Keep warm there; sunny here...and the surfers in their wetsuits are right outside the library window.

Libraries…and Renewal…

Lots to discover and renew …Tuesday evening, it took no time to reconnections with dear friends who live high above the Christchurch plains. From their windows and balconies, the city and surrounding fields extend below…and in the distance – above and below the clouds – the Southern Alps. At nightfall – which is mighty late down here – all was a glitter.

Wednesday morning, continued renewal and discovery takes place at our new haunts ….public libraries. The city’s libraries are simply wonders: full internet facilities; open spaces, large screen monitors and floor pillows where young adolescents play video games; large comfortable settings where adults watch live Monday night gridiron from the US…(9 pm Monday night is 3pm Tuesday afternoon in Christchurch and the couches were full!) and friendly staff who help the Yank ‘sign on’. The library even has a cafe - where staff whip up coffee, tea and sandwiches...and 'deliver' it to one's work/study space. All aspects of the library combine to make the facility a magnet for young and old.

Wednesday afternoon, we wandered north of Christchurch to beautiful beaches and Eric’s old haunts. Fishermen were few but very happy in the sun, and campers were beginning to gather for the first summer holiday weekend. It was easy to picture Eric’s mother herding her 3 children up the dunes and over the sand to picnics and swims.

Later, we drove through Rangiora, a farming town…and turned back towards the city where Eric zipped and wove to find just the right shopping spot for sheepskin slippers and mittens…Definitely a summer search for winter booty…with great success right before Eric’s ‘shopping’ fuel ran out. He won the hero’s medal today.

Sun, wind, and seaside air

Summer in Christchurch...warm sun, the freshest air, and strong breezes....the best antidote to jet lag.

Eric's family have welcomed us broadly with good chats, catch ups, fine food, and warm welcomes.

Saturday we explored New Brighton and its windswept beaches. The sea is frigid...so Eric toe tested to prepare for his Christmas swim...and I watched wetsuit surfers toss about.

Sunday, itineraries crisscrossed and we had a lovely afternoon with our godson and his family. Taking advantage of the last few months of their assignments in Manilla, they traveled to the South Island. What fun to see an eight year old and ten year old run on the windy beaches...and wonder where all are the people and cars. Christchurch traffic is a far cry from the auto melee in Manilla. Eric, chief guide, became tour leader as we traveled outside the city limits to to beaches in Sumner and the port of Lyttleton. It's amazing to see the timber ready to load on the wharfs for shipment north to Asia.

This morning, Eric and his brother woke early, grabbed their swimsuits, and headed to QE II Park where the pools open early. Laps and a sauna kept them happy, while Joyce and Helen caught a few more Zzzs. Later in the morning, Helen and an old Christchurch friend went to New Brighton for a long catch up, coffee, and a walk on the beach...surf rolling in and waves crashing. It's always magical that time and distance disappear so quickly with a dear friend.

All best to you from downunder...and more later.