Sunday, March 25, 2007

In Transit

Having left Rangiora we moved into Christchurch to stay with the lovely Emma and Dan Andrews. We had lunch with E & D and Andrew & Christine and then there was one more goodbye to make; we called in to see our friend, Carolyn, who had been in the nearby hospice for a few weeks. It was very hard to say goodbye not knowing if we would see her again this side of heaven. Carolyn did lose her brave battle with cancer a few days after we left New Zealand and I want to give tribute to an inspiring lady who it was a priviledge to have known.

The last four days in New Zealand we spent as tourists. My parents came to visit as part of a big 5-week holiday and it really was bad timing that we had to leave when we did. Still, we had managed to extend our visa until the end of the first half of their trip so we got to hang out and drive them round some of our favourite places including the botanical gardens, our favourite cafe, The Blue Rooster, in Rangiora and the stunning Akaroa (where Matthew ate his first chip!).



The weather was really good which was a treat considering the previous week had been very grey and all my attempts to drive out to see the mountains had been thwarted! Lis bought Matthew a sun hat as he'd thrown his previous one out of the buggy when we weren't looking! The new one only stayed on when he was preoccupied with more fun things like swinging. The good weather meant we could also have time on the beach and Matthew really enjoyed chasing the seagulls seen as now he can crawl really rather fast!



We had a couple of chilled evenings in with Emma and Dan, enjoying bbqs and wine in their back garden (and being enjoyed by the mosquitoes!) and then it was time to leave. Very bizarre to think that we wouldn't be sharing everyday life with them and I still haven't got my head round that - missing you heaps guys 'cos, although Skype is great, it's not the same. Thought we'd have pictures of Matthew with his favourite surrogate Aunt and Uncle but can't find any of Emma, will post when they arrive off the ocean!


Emma took us to the airport and it was a great relief when our worldy goods (minus the 11 boxes) in 3 suitcases was not over the weight limit and the airline took Matthew's buggy and car seat no questions asked. So off we set, not to travel half way the round the world just yet, but to Australia for a little holiday!

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