Christmas in the Park

As you know, at this time of the year, there is no chance of escaping the season’s festivities; whether it is carols, tinsel, twinkling lights or the hordes of Santas roaming the land. As we have spent most Christmases in the northern hemisphere, it all seems quite normal to don a big red suit, strap on a long white beard and stomp around in heavy boots. However, it does not seem quite right to do so when the skies are blue, the sun’s rays are strengthening and the prospect of beach sunbathing is imminent. Nevertheless, some things just have to be done.

Last Saturday night was the first of many free summer events in North Hagley Park, the one near our house. This event was sponsored by Coca-Cola, hence the name ‘Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park’. Normally, we try not to support big multi-nationals. However, we made a special allowance for this free event, although gold coin donations were collected for ChildLine.

The plan was that the Pinner family would go down to the park early, to reserve a place amongst the 100 000 people, on the grass. Incidently, we thought the reported figure of 100 000 people seemed rather high but it was certainly busy. You know what it is like: an event starts at 7.45pm, but some people will start to arrive at 4pm, with just about everything, including the kitchen sink. Obviously, people like this block any view people behind could possibly have had. However, thanks to Mark and Lisa, and the fact that they were prepared to protest with people plonking chairs in front of them, a reasonable view of the stage and screens was secured.

Armed with picnic blanket and two coolbags, we arrived. Although the central city area is a ‘no-alcohol’ zone, this does not apply to events in the park, and people are encouraged to bring their picnic. So, a nice bottle of red, and a few bottles of Monteiths Summer Ale were consumed. It was good just munching away on the food (bread, cheese, pickles, strawberries), chatting with friends and enjoying a nice show. The first part of the show was mostly Christmas songs and carols, and the second part was songs, such as that well known Christmas song ‘Sweet Child of Mine’ which was followed by a particularly poor version of ‘Livin’ On a Prayer’!Of course, the evening was not complete without Santa arriving on an enormous sleigh! I have no idea why Mrs Claus looked like one of those ballerina/fairy toilet roll holders that old people have sitting on their cisterns, but she sure did. The evening ended with an impressive firework display, which got the crowd oohing and ahhing.

Next Sunday Santa is on parade; might have another chance to slip him my wish list.

By the way, we forgot to take our camera so had to make do with these shots taken with a cellphone camera. Hence the below average quality.

Bubbly, Hats and Picks

Yesterday was New Zealand Cup Day, the last day of Show and Cup Week. We decided to mark the occasion by making a 'big' day of it. That meant starting the day by inviting some friends round to our place, for a champagne breakfast. Finally our extendable table came in handy! Breakfast consisted of traditional English fayre. The only Kiwi thing being Lindauer Fraise, which is so moorish, that it did not take us long at all to down four bottles of the pink bubbly stuff. After being fed and watered it was time to prepare for the main event. Of course being 'Cup Day' we needed to look the part so careful thought was put into outfits and in particular hats!


The taxi delivered us right to the gates at Riccarton Racecourse. We all headed straight for the bar, and whilst drinking Speight's we pondered on which horse to bet. Luck was at our side, as we managed to win $50 on our first bet. After that race, our studying of form was not so good (or maybe the problem was a lack of study) as we did not win 'big' again. The main race came and went, Speight's was drunk and before we knew it, the afternoon was drawing to an end and it was time to head home.As we were not the only ones leaving, to head into town, we knew the queue for the taxi would be enormous. Somehow we stumbled across a bus, a free courtesy bus, taking passengers 'back' to the casino. As the casino is right in town, we did not hesitate and jumped aboard. We did even go into the casino, just to use the bathrooms! We then walked to the 'Bard on Avon' pub, and had a bite to eat, with another drink. By now, some members of our party had had enough, too much too drink and feeling sleepy so it was time to go home!In case you are wondering, we did not spend the whole afternoon in the bar. We just forgot to take some photos of the horses and the course!

Baa Baa Black Sheep Have You Any Brollies?

Today, Friday 17th November, is Canterbury Anniversary Day. It is a regional public holiday so we had the day off work whilst the rest of the country worked. Nice! We are almost at the end of what is Christchurch's biggest and best week.

This week is Show and Cup Week. A week of racing, fashion, socialising and a time when the country comes to town. Three racing codes - harness racing (chariot racing!), gallops and greyhound racing - all compete for their own versions of the New Zealand Cup. The week's events started on Saturday 11th with a race meeting at Riccarton Park. However, the first big event was the NZ Trotting Cup, at Addington Raceway on Tuesday. It is a day for hats and hobnobbing and in a way is New Zealand's answer to Ladies' Day. Unfortunately, we did not go but looking at the news reports and reading the newpaper articles it seemed that 25 000 had a good time. I'm not sure how much racing they watched but they certainly did some drinking. I just hope that the weather is good for us when we go to Riccarton Park for the New Zealand Cup, tomorrow.

Today, though, we went to what is normally called the A&P Show but this year it is called the Royal Show. I guess it is a way to charge an extra dollar on entry! Anyway, us townies had to go to the show, and look at live stock (choose which sheep we liked best), watch equestrian events, sample foods, look at vintage and new farm machinery, etc.

Chantal even held a one day chick, in the petting area! We also looked around various stalls that were, among other things: promoting irrigation machinery, electrical fences, etc. I In the arena various events went on, like dog trials and wood chopping competitions. Unfortunately the weather was not on our side so when the rain became too persistent we looked for cover. We met up with Darren & Jen, in the Baa Baa bar, and stood side by side with young farmers in their RM Williams boots and Dryzabone coats. Needless to say the beers started to flow.

The End.......

Growing Up!

One knows when one is really growing up: you buy a brand new, family sized fridge/freezer! (Not that there is a family on the way). “Out with the old and in with new.” That spring time saying has been used a lot during the last few months in our household. The fridge/freezer that was left behind in our rented cottage is enormous. It did not have any problems holding our food as well as a crate of beer, but the freezer had seen better times. So, thanks to Mr Parnell and the subsequent Labour Day Sales, we are now the proud owners of a sparkling white, Fisher and Paykel fridge/freezer, see http://www.fp.co.nz/refrigeration/refrigerators/model_overview.cfm?mod_uuid=057B9BD2-D12C-5079-F7AC2CF997CBDC69. The old one will now be used as a beer fridge, particularly as barbecue season is upon us!

Anyway, the fridge/freezer was not the only recent addition to our house. Some of you might be extremely surprised by the following ‘announcement’, but I do have underlying motives. A couple of weeks ago, Pete and I were given a cat. She used to live at the house where we stayed for a few months earlier in the year. Her owner has now moved to Auckland and we were asked if we wanted her. So we are now responsible for a small furry feline called Tinkerbell, a 14 month old cat. Yes, we are no longer carefree. And the whole reason I went along with this, is because our cottage also seems to be the home to a few smaller creatures one normally does not like seeing. Hopefully Tinker will be hunting for those unwanted ‘visitors’, although I would rather not see any evidence on my bed!

At the moment Tinker is settling in, and she seems to like it in her new abode. We have not yet noticed any ‘bad’ behaviour, although she does seem to have a penchant for my plants, which are now put away in a closed room.