2nd March - We had a big lie in which was MUCH needed and had some lunch. Rob and Netty took us out in their car to go for a walk in the hills, so we took our trekking shoes for the occasion. We didn't realise how exhausted we would be until we got up there!! 4.5 months of no exercise has certainly taken its toll. After our walk up the hill, we went for a walk around the quarry near to their house. Rob and Netty then took us to their local pub for a drink before heading home. They cooked us a yummy BBQ and we ate it outside. We chilled and watched telly for the rest of the evening eating chocolates and sweets.

3rd March - We had set our alarm the night before so we could get up nice and early; we had a planned day ahead. Rob and Netty took us for a tour around Christchurch to see the damage the earthquake had caused. They took us to see the houses on the cliff by the beach. There were literally houses in half along the cliff edge from where there was rock fall. In the afternoon, we went into the city centre. That's where we saw some of the worst damage. It was like something out of a movie. Unbelievable! All the high rise buildings had collapsed so there were empty spaces everywhere. There were a lot of buildings that hadn't been taken down and were still there with parts of the building missing. The only way to describe it was like a derelict war-zone. No one around like a ghost town. In one part of town, they have set up a temporary shopping precinct made up of cargo containers, to try and bring people back into the city. It actually looked really upmarket and kitsch. Something I could see being in London! We had a coffee then got dropped off to a big shopping mall where we went on a mini shopping spree to buy 'essentials' for America. Under these 'essentials' came a clutch bag.. It was only £6!! I couldn't say no. That evening we had Mexican for dinner. Hannah and I cooked for Rob and Betty, as we actually knew how to cook it!!

4th March - Rob and Betty had gone to work, so it was just me and Hannah left to our own devices. In the morning I wrote my CV - yes, it was time to start thinking about jobs back home. Bore!! In the afternoon (after ALOT of lounging around the house), we headed out for a bike ride to the quarry. When we got there, we went for a walk around. We got a little lost (of course) but we still made it back to the house. Just in time for Rob and Betty. Rob asked us what we fancied for dinner the night before.. He asked us what food we were really craving from home.. The only thing I could think of was Cottage Pie! I have definitely missed my mums cottage pie, that's for sure. Real good home food! So he made cottage pie for us which was oh so nice :) The both of us made the most of our last night in a house and a double bed, knowing that we would not be sleeping in a bed for the next 48 hours. As we would be embarking on a very long journey all the way to Los Angeles baby!!