I'm not sure what it is between Jetstar and me, but we don't seem to have a good relationship. I try to avoid flying them whenever I can, but using frequent flyer points meant that Jetstar was going to get me to Christchurch. As usual (or it is for me) they were late in boarding and almost an hour late in taking off. Not sure why. They never offered an explanation nor an apology. Makes you wonder how they keep winning awards. Christchurch welcomed me with some pleasant weather and after a bit of orientation around John & Ceci's home John and I headed off to the Super Rugby. The local team, the Crusaders were premiers last year and hopes are high for another good season. This was their first match of the season and it was against the despised enemy, the Chiefs. I'm not sure why they are despised, perhaps because they are from the North Island, or maybe they are just the Collingwood of the Super Ruby league. Everyone simply hates them. It was a good crowd in a temporary stadium. The orginal staduium was lost in the earthquakes of 2010/11 and apparently agreement can't be reached on where to build the new one. So 7 years on the games are still being played at a temporary location. I'm guessing the Crusaders carried on from where they left off last year as they ran out comfortable 45-23 winners. I was fortunate to be seated next to a passionate Crusaders fan who was more than happy to answer my "dumb"questions about the game and explain some of the more puzzling aspects. Saturday night started a 4 day period of very social activities. Lunch with some friends and neighbours on Sunday gave me an entre into the local community. I decided to organise an NZ phone number which was a very easy process. No identification necessary, which surprised me. Lunch with friends again on Tuesday and then I took John & Ceci to the airport. I was now on my own. Wednesday night I was invited to join a group of locals at the Papanui Workers Club for their usual fortnightly Wednesday dinner. These Kiwis are a friendly lot. The weather so far has been a bit like Melbourne. Beautiful one day and then average the next. Friday was an average day so best spent on indoor activities. The Canterbury Museum and the Air Force Museum kept me occupied for many hours. The Air Force Museum in particular was excellent. The exhibits were first class and the opportunity for an interesting albeit brief tour through the workshops was incredible. The bulk of the restoration/refurbishment is done by volunteers who spend literally thousands upon thousand of hours restoring aircraft. Saturday night was another home game for the Crusaders, and despite a mid match lull they again ran out comfortable 45-21 winners. Only one more home game before I leave Christchurch. John's daughter, Claire, and her partner Brent are classic car/hot rod enthusiasts and they invited to attend a regular monthly get together of like minded people. Brent picked me up in his home built "Rat Rod". The get together comprised about 300 cars carefully parked row upon row. It's a very social occasion where people can simply just socialise, discuss their latest car project and admire the handiwork of others. It was a glorioous day weather wise and great opportunity to see some wonderful machinery. Whilst I am in NZ I want to make the most of the opportunity to do some tramping (that's Kiwi for bushwalking/hiking). My first foray was the Pigeon Bay Walkway, on the beautiful Banks Peninsula. It's a 14km walk along an elongated bay. Interestingly the entire walk is on private property so encounters with flocks of sheep and herds of cattle was quite common. As was the dodging of the packages that such animals leave on the ground. The walk ends at Wakaroa Point with spectacular views in both directions along the coast. Imposing cliffs and rocky outcrops provided a great backdrop whilst I had lunch. It was quite a warm day and my lack of fitness meant I was a bit pooped by the time I got back. However the drive home along the ridgeline provided some amazing views over the peninsula and the little French town of Akaroa. One thing I won't be doing much of is watching television. Hard to believe it, but I think it is worse than what is served up in Australia. It's not helped by the fact that many Australian shows are also broadcast over here. Even pay TV doesn't offer up much better. Looks like plenty of reading will be done. Although I have only been here a little over a week I seem to have done quite a lot. Still there is a lot more to see and do here and I have 3 and a bit months to do it.