Kaikoura to Christchurch and a surprise Wedding (9th to 24th February)

Marfell's Beach

We finally got away from Nelson mid afternoon after Bill had discovered one of the two fan belts had ripped apart. Thankfully he managed to get two new ones to replace them before we headed up over the hills to Marlborough.

Marfell Doc Camp

We made it to Marfell's Beach early evening to find the Doc camp quite busy. After the 7.8 earthquake event happening in Kaikoura back in November 2016, the landscape has changed with a lot of the coast line being thrust up. The road down the east coast from Marlborough to Kaikoura had been closed till just before last Christmas. They now have the road open during daylight hours but a lot of it is still one way - a huge number of human resources have been required to keep this massive job progressing along.

South Bay Race Course

State Highway 1 -Marlborough to Kaikoura

We moved onto Kaikoura the next day to stop over for the night to do the Peninsula walk which we did a few years ago. Staying out at South Shore Raceway with about 20 other motorhomers, is a great spot to walk from. We walked down to South Bay Reserve and then up to the Headlands along the Peninsula Walkway which thankfully wasn't damaged and good to see so many tourists doing the walkway even though the day wasn't that great.
We continued the walk back toward the township and then took another track up and over back into South Shore - a total of 11.4kms.
Luckily we did it on our arrival as the next day was too wet to do such a walk.

Repairs are still ongoing in and around
Christchurch 7 years on! Trying to save the facade.

So it was onto Helen & Ralph's in Christchurch to annoy them once again! And of course have a little red or two🍷🍷. They also had a little job for Bill to help Ralph with that would keep the two of them out of trouble.

Bill looking into a bit of a hole

Ralph sorting the puzzle of planks

A bit of relaxation after a day of work
Lovely Jazz Ralph

The finished job - well done Team ☺ 

A surprise in the middle of our two week stay was our eldest daughter Shannon and her partner AC (Andrew) getting married in Wellington. They had a quiet private ceremony in their lunch break. Certainly low key, just like they wanted.
So we enjoyed catching up with them in the evening to welcome our new son-in-law into our family ☺

The happily married couple - Shannon &AC

As we stayed a couple of days (Thanks John & Sarah for a bed) Shannon also had time to show us through her workplace in the Beehive- interesting to see how the building and the hierarchy of our Parliamentary system works.
The timing was perfect to catch up with brother Wayne & wife Kate for lunch in the City they were also visiting for the weekend with having three of their children living there now.

Bro's together doing a Selfie

Dragon Boating in Wellington Lagoon
before they head out into the harbour

Ohhh Ohhh!!

Saturday had Dragon Boat Racing on the harbour, which Shannon was competing in. Sadly we had to catch our flight back to Christchurch so we actually missed the race Shannon was competing in. But the waterfront was buzzing with all the competitors and supporters. The weather was a bit of a concern as the wind was building up, causing a few issues when entering back into the Lagoon.
Apart from Wellington's windy conditions, once again it was an enjoyable, although brief, visit to the Capital.

Back in Christchurch, Bill & Ralph finished off the flooring project. H&R have a friend also staying at the moment with having her home finally fixed after the 2011 earthquake damage, Carolyn, who took us all out for a new dining experience at Japanese restaurant Kumo. The Sushi Train was a fun and very tasty way to dine. Thank you Carolyn for the opportunity.

Sushi Train Dining with Carolyn,
Helen, Ralph & Bill

Our last evening in Christchurch we got to sample some local music with Ralph's music club "The Christchurch Musician Club" - an enjoyable jazz hour in town and then a couple of hours at the local Cashmere Club listening to a One Man Band - Lil Chuck.

Good music, shame not a bigger audience 

Bill trying this one out for size
(plenty of bike parking around the city)

Now it's time to continue our travels south - toward Roxborough where our new (second hand) kayak is waiting for us ☺
Fingers crossed the weather stays settled for a bit.