Here is something that is popular with the tourists. Old trams have made a 'comeback' with a 3 km circuit through Cathedral Square,
west along to the Arts Centre, (which used to be the university)
around the block and back down a quaint little street, (New Regent Street)
and into the terminus. 
Subtle colours are a feature of under-wharf kayaking 
The lighting effects are almost enchanting
Here is the business side of a modern tugboat
And here is a grand old tugboat without its fenders.
Families were out swimming, enjoying temperatures of 25 degrees plus.
One man was out there with his 'best friend'.
And another was out there with his 'trusty steed'.
Then others were waiting around for the ferry to take them home
Thrill-seeking has never been a great part of my life, but this picture, from the Flight Simulator, reminds me of the 'thrills' I did have. It show the runway at Waiouru NZ which belongs to the army training camp, where I did absailing, diving, white-water rafting, racing in tanks and being out in the open under live fire. The picture also shows Mt Ruapehu where I used to ski.
Here is a better picture of the aircraft itself. It is one of those very nimble, highly powerful competitive aerobatic craft.
It is a thrill to fly.
And after a successful series of loops and turns, it is very satisfying to fly off into the sunset.
Robyn and Jim met in Auckland in 1993. They are one of those couples that I knew before they knew each other. I saw interest budding into attraction and attraction grow into love and love expressed in marriage and family.
This the family with Jamie, the youngest, in front of me. As much as I enjoy Christchurch, it is good to get away from time-to-time to be with my family and other friends in the North Island.
Here are (LtoR) Michael, Gemma and Peter. They are great kids.
Introducing the kayak. It took about 20 minutes to paddle from Lyttelton south to Quail Island. 
Looking into one cave on the north side of Quail Island.
And coming out of another
Then round the corner to the graveyard on the west side of the Island.
When I first viewed these photos, I thought "No, I'll come back and take some photographs after dark.You can see too much reflection from the street" 
Then I thought, "Ballantyne, is putting the Christmas story out there on the street." It was a reminder that God entrusted his child to people who had been left out on the street.
"Ballantyne" is an up-market department store in Christchurch and, as we say, it is "world-famous in New Zealand." I know about Ballantyne's before I came to the South Island.
Anyway, "Good on you, Ballantyne and Company. Whether you do it each year to attract customers of the Christian persuasion or you see the intrinsic value of putting the story of Christmas on the street, I hope that it helps your business."
'Some things never change.' I was walking through the local park the other day and saw some young men wrestling one another for a ball.
I asked them what they were playing. "Scrag" was the answer, as if I ought to know, which I do. I was introduced to this wonderfully free game 50 years ago.
The game has no rules, except the preservation of life, limb and property. The players divide into two roughly equal sides, which try to keep a ball in their own possession. The players use four of the five basic sporting skills, namely, wrestling, running, throwing and kicking. I have not seen a version with swimming in it, yet. 
Christchurch has a lovely little river that meanders through the city. Here is the "Bridge of Rememberance" which is at one end of the central pedestrian shopping mall.
Further upstream you can hire small canoes and rowboats or, in this case, punts complete with a punter.
Further downstream, a punt will take you past the historic Colonial Legislative Building, the modern Town Hall and as far as the Rotunda.
That is the rotunda to the right of the photo.
Kevin was born in Taradale, in the North Island. He spent many years teaching at St Bede's College, Christchurch, and keeps up very active connections with the College through the Old Boys network and through managing St Bede's Press, which is a commercial enterprise situated at the college. He is still a regular golfer and a great "mixer", bringing home another perspective of what is happening around us.
Frank comes from Greymouth, on the West Coast, about 3 hours drive from Christchurch. He is one of those "giants among men" that the West Coast produces. He worked for many years in the Solomon Islands, trekking through the hills, putting up buildings and raising money for the Mission. At 60 he came back to New Zealand and took up work around Christchurch. It is an honour to be able to be in community with him in his retirement. (By the way, that is snow outside the window. I expect snow once a winter in Christchurch)
Jerome is a Christchurch man who spent 17 years working in a flour mill before joining up with us. He switched to farm work and looked after the finances of a large community. He is an avid reader of the newspaper and rides to miles on his scooter. A good observer of life, he is the "wise old man" of our community. 
