Beautiful day in Christchurch today. Bright sunshine and warm temperatures. I am well and truly mended already and we enjoyed a stroll in Christchurch today opting to stay away from the "garden" tour. Been there and done that.

We found out there was a memorial to all firefighters made from some steel girders that fell from the 102nd floor of the world trade center during the September 11, 2011 attack. It was not in a very scenic location on a river bank by an street intersection but this is a scared maori site hence the location and very close to the Christchurch Fire Department. Ken took some pictures he will post this afternoon.

It was a pleasant walk and we came back via the Avon river what a pretty city Christchurch is, I often forget. We visited the cathedral and what is so nice is the New Zealand locals welcoming you as you go inside and the local housewifes were selling home baked Christmas cookies outside the Cathedral. The Cathedral is not as spectacular as the cathedrals you see in Europe but charming nevertheless.

I bought a traditional "custard square" and took it back on board to have with lunch. Ken bought a maori tee shirt and all blacks cap. Just a delightful morning.

Many took a long tour that included a jet boat ride and four wheel drive up to 2000ft of the high country with views of the Southern Alps. Could not be a better day for an adventure like that.

We talked to Don and Carolyn at lunch today who loved their over night Queenstown excursion that is really a good excursion to take. You miss very little sailing the bottom of New Zealand.

Tonight we have having dinner with Debbie's parents, Jean and Bill, Betty and Lauri and we special ordered herb crusted rack of lamb.

Tomorrow Ken and I are taking a tour in Wellington that will pass right by the house I grew up in on Petone beach. I am sure I will wishing I could get off the bus and buy a New Zealand TIP TOP HOKEY POKEY ICE CREAM at my old dairy stomping ground. This tour drives around the whole harbor and ends up at a sheep station at a scenic point where on a clear day you can see the tip of the South Island over Cook Strait. A home cooked morning tea (I am hoping for really good New Zealand scones) at the sheep station will be served. Probably not the most exciting tour but certainly perfect for me to visit the area I lived for 20 years.

Life does not get much better than this that is for sure. I always enjoy coming back to New Zealand I guess you never forget your roots and I do appreciate New Zealand I just love living in the United States.