The people of our July Holiday

Our July Holiday included a catch up of massive proportions. There was those who live in Christchurch Corryn and the Toganivalus. The Bray, Marshall, stevens and Lequ families. So as you can imagine there was chaos at meal times when we were all together at either Corryn's house or Shelley and Tiko's house. Here are photos of some of the funnier people who showed up.

Ethan trying to prove that his mouth is bigger than his ice cream and stomach.

Shelley as seen by a smaller person.

Julie at her multitasking best. Eating and making a round of hot drinks.

Talei, Christina (black eye included) and Hannah.

The day before school finished Christina crashed with a high school student while at Buller High to do technology. The result was a huge and impressive black eye. This photo is almost 8 days later and the colours are still changing.

Talei making faces

Simeon doing that thing with the eyes

Christina and Hannah together again

Feeding time ...... why are we waiting....

Tiko makes eyes at the camera

Rueben and his ice cream

This of course was not everybody only those who made it in front of our camera. Corryn is strangely absent. She had been ill while we were visiting..... I think this night she stayed home to throw up.

July Holiday - Christchurch

For the first week of the holidays we decided that a catch up in Christchurch was in order and so we packed our bags and headed out. The first problem of the holiday was how to get to Christchurch when the Lewis Pass is closed.... Thats easy you go to Greymouth (1 1/2 hour drive) and then hang a left somewhere and then drive to Christchurch through the Arthur's and Porters Pass. (Another 4 hours)

The road through the Arthurs and Porters pass was also marginal but at least it was open and we had chains. Chains that were slightly too small but they would do.

The scenery was spectacular and the drive was reasonable.... At least the road was not closed. We did have to try the chains for a small 500 mtr stretch as a truck had jackknifed in the ice that was a little scary but we made it through safely. We did at that stage decide that chains that fit were necessary.

Here are some of the photos of the scenery on our trip.

Share and share alike I say... This bridge just out of Greymouth is a one lane bridge but I am guessing that the trains get right of way.

Our first decent view of the mountains to come.

Snowy conditions are on their way.....

This bridge has been built over the road to allow the snow that comes down the side of the hill to fall harmlessly to the river below.... It was cool.

And this structure just 150 mtrs up the road to allow water to go in the same direction. Some of the water was in frozen icicles hanging off the end of the bridge. This photo was taken from the lookout area.

Christina having some fun in the snow.

Patrick has found his own footsteps in the snow.

A Kea that came out to play with us.... or maybe it was the food he came for.

Emily is enjoying the snow too.

We finally made it to Christchurch after having to put the snow chains on the car to discover that they were too small but they were enough to get us past a really tricky bit of ice that had caused a logging truck to jackknife.