Christchurch

Wrapping up the intense fortnight, here are a few photos from Christchurch which we briefly visited on our way back from Central Otago.

The CTV site has been opened up as a memorial. I think there will be something more permanent in the future but at least there is something to be going on with.

It is opposite the new cardboard cathedral.

After a bit of disaster tourism we were in need of sustenance so went to the Cassels Brewery where Janie joined us for lunch.

I can report that the beer and food were very good.

Mount Iron

Mount Iron is 545 metres above sea level and the highest point in the immediate vicinity of Wanaka. It is a good example of a roche moutonnee – a hill shaped by glacial action. This is the view from the bottom

and on the top.

There are good views of the mountains, lake and Wanaka township. 

I took a panoramic view and Denise and Noreen ran round to get themselves recorded twice.

Nearby is the site of the world’s first recorded sheep dog trial on 18^th April 1867. This memorial commemorates the event.

Silverstream

After the 90^th party the ladies had an afternoon tea engagement. Half the blokes (the younger ones) went surfing. The older ones travelled out to the restored railway at Silverstream.

The working locomotive was an English Electric DE Class Diesel Electric. It was running shuttle services up and down the short line that the railway operates.

Here are a few more pictures of us and it.

This is a view of the control gear inside the cab. It looks positively antique! 

90th Party

First there was a wedding, then a 90^th party (for the record it was a combined 60^th for Noreen and 30^th for Jenny). I didn’t take any photos at the event so these are courtesy of Sophie and Nico. Many thanks to them.

The theme was film awards or somesuch. It meant dressing up in your best frock and doing outrageous things in front of the cameras. Many people obliged.

I’ve no idea who Leo is – probably a rival of Sam’s for Bex’s hand.

Mother and daughter blowing bubbles

while father and son had a good yarn.

Relatives and friends entered into the spirit of the party.

Alan and Ali came down from Tauranga for the occasion and Sophie organised the event and took photos - well done and thanks Sophie.

Everybody got a goodie bag to take home.

The milk bottles on the left were mainly for Kathy.

Jenny and Noreen cutting the cake.

An intense fortnight

The last two weeks have been a whirlwind of activity – travelling to the South Island, welcoming visitors from near and far, Sam and Bex’s wedding, the return to Wellington and Noreen and Jenny’s combined 90^th birthday party (Noreen was 60 in February and Jenny will be 30 in June).

Now most of the visitors have returned from whence they came, Sam and Bex are off on an extended honeymoon to Hawai’i and then on through Mexico and Central America to the UK where they hope to work for a year or so.

A few highlights now – I will try and get some semblance of order into the myriad photos I have and post about individual events as I have time.

We stayed on the shores of Lake Hawea 

in the aptly named Black Shack.

The young people swam (it was too cold for the old ones).

 

As usual, the wedding was a good place to meet up with old friends (and make new ones). Here are Noreen and the surrogate aunties

and me and the surrogate uncles (with one real one).

Three generations of Keane women pose for their portrait.

The location was stunning and the weather perfect.

Finally Bex arrived escorted by her dad (photo by Nico).

Afterwards we posed for the official photographs. These are non-official courtesy of David.

And finally the star of the show - young Rebecca Holly Jewell nee Farmer. Welcome to the mad Jewell whanau Bex. We hope you enjoy your journey with us.

Official photos will be linked when available.