Tim was back in Aotearoa for around six weeks, which included a long weekend in Invercargill to visit Bernie and Margaret, three days in Wellington to submit the visa application and to catch up with Dave, Mark and Brendan and the rest of the time was spent in Christchurch with Dianne, Juliette and Tim's nieces Millie and Poppy. Duties in Christchurch included babysitting Poppy, watching Millie's horse-riding lesson, head chef on the barbecue and attending "Grandparent/special person Day" at Poppy's pre-school (obviously Tim was a special person)... After twice changing the date his return flights, the visa was eventually issued and Tim is now back in London town!
Recent happenings include a trip to Canterbury on Saturday to see the Cathedral and have a look around the town. Our friends Jackie and Simon offered to take us there as, although they had been before, they were keen for another trip before heading back to NZ at the end of the year. However when Saturday arrived Tim woke up with a serious case of man flu! It was also forecast to be a sprightly 4 degree high, so Tim opted to stay in bed. Probably a good option as the day turned out to be one of the coldest we've experienced and resulted in some overnight snow.
Canterbury was a lovely little town and we spent most of the trip inside the Cathedral, on a guided walk with a retired high school teacher. Our guide was fond of giving people things to read out - such as an extract from the Canterbury Tales - and since we were the only ones on the tour it meant Jackie and I had to step up. Since it's the second time Jackie's been on the tour and the second time she's been forced into a reading, I think she's probably over it!
However, the tour was excellent and helped bring the Cathedral alive as a place of worldwide historical and spiritual significance. The main story is based around the life and murder of Thomas Beckett and his martyrdom and sainthood. His remains lay entombed in the Cathedral for three centuries, during which pilgrims came to pray to him for miracles; so many came that the stone steps and floors have grooves worn away from constant kneeling.
After two hours in the Cathedral we were ready for a drink and then we decided to head home. Sadly we couldn't make the turning on of the Christmas lights, it was just too cold to linger! But to make up for that, we now have a dazzling Christmas tree in our apartment. Standing at a touch under three foot and weighing in at next to nothing, it doesn't take up much room, but still gives the place a very Christmassy feel!
Tim's nieces
Poppy and
Millie
Millie at
horse-
riding
Poppy the
entertainer
Wobbly
house in
Canterbury
Town square
in Canter-
bury
Jackie and
Simon
Canter-
bury
Cathedral
Tim and
our new
Christmas tree
