Christchurch + 3 Weeks

Appearance is everything

The hot, dry conditions have persisted and the daily requirement of slapping on sun protection has become routine. My lower legs however refuse to change colour. Even the brave decision of going from the Nivea Factor 50 (Dulux Brilliant White masonary paint) to Factor 20 ( B&Q White emulsion) has made little difference. I don't suppose having "bronzed" lower legs and arms would go with Ribeeny-red neck and face, topped with a white baldy head. Actually I should know better as when I lived and worked in Saudi Arabia, I soon discovered when mixing with other expats at barbies and the occasional party I always stood out as though I'd just arrived from Sweden in need of a blood transfusion - though at least I still had my hair.

Actually my low self-esteem has taken a battering anyway when I made the mistake of letting Katie take some photographs in Lyttleton a few weeks ago. As you can see from the photo below its a "shot from the rear" and I happened to be next to a gentleman with rather large calfs. When I downloaded that batch I couldn't believe it was me - I blamed the hat hiding my neck (I do have a neck) but Carole (ever positive about my appearance) said I did tend to stoop these days. Katie called me her favourite hunchback - that's a hunchback-handed compliment (Ha Ha).

Anyway I now know I look worse from the back than I do from the front and not many people I know can say that about themselves! In fact for all of my drinking friends it's definitely the other way round.

Carole has turned a lovely brown apart from her legs but if Saudi is anything to go by it is just a matter of time. Her biggest problem has been staying on her feet. Though her mobility has started to improve she has taken a couple of falls with resulting accentuated bruising caused by her array of medicaments.

NZ - A Theme Park waiting to happen?

I am not sure this heading is really fair but I do get the feeling (mainly in the wallet) that NZ is heading towards a situation where the air-fares, high as they are, will not be the determining factor in deciding whether a holiday is affordable.

Prices are crazy and the currency for some reason is as strong as that of an oil-rich state. I won't bore you with price comparisons but they would certainly put most people off. Unfortunately, the Hotel/B&B situation here in Christchurch is totally skewed by the number of quake victims (whose homes are still in insurance limbo)taking up all/most spare capacity and profiteering in this sector apparently thrives (Yes it happens here as well!). On a personal level we could not stay for anything like the intended duration if it were not for Cath & Pauls' hospitality.

According to the lady who runs the Art Gallery shop (Art Gallery closed for another couple of years because the foundations under the centre of the complex have gone)the economy is booming because of an extremely strong Dairy and Meat export market, well lets hope and pray it remains intact and free of all the diseases that beset Europe time and again.

In spite of strong currency, seemingly swarms of visitors (from cruise ships anyway), accelerated rebuild programme, incredible "can do" attitude in city's retail sector (Container Mall), both Carole & I were extremely disappointed when visiting the re-opened Museum recently. When you enter, there is a clear-plastic drop-in box and a polite sign suggesting a donation of $5 (Adult) $2 (Child), we put $5 between us and gave the grandkids a dollar each. Just a short distance into the displays you are then confronted by the entrance to the Scott exhibition (the only new feature) which costs $15 and $8 respectively to get in. A bit of a cheek!

Theme Park equals the NZ experience high-jacked by the package tour industry - god forbid.

End of whinge. Now some photos:-

Kite-Flying in New Brighton Sunday 27 Jan

Visit to Botanic Gardens ChCh city centre Monday 28 Jan