The Leaning Tower of Christchurch

Since someone fell off a ladder on to their head, they have ceased demolition of the Hotel Grand Chancellor. Here's progress to date:

We are getting some crazy-arsed weather round here...

Summertimes.

Summer is in full swing here in ChCh. It has been HOT and dry. Although I have been working lots and lots (a big time for locums), we have taken some time out - we took the kid to the beach for the first time, made pizzas, and checked out a new bar + eatery from Johnny Schwass.




Said eatery - Gorilla, great food, good drinks (if you want some caffeine you have the choice of 'black coffee' or 'black coffee with milk' - nice). Awesome service (nigh on non-existent in Christchurch). SHITE location. In the middle of Ferrymead shops - soulless, miles of carparking. AND sandwiched between the Speights Alehouse and Winnie Bagoes - it feels like you are sitting on Oxford Terrace in what used to be called The Strip - except you don't even have the pretty Avon river to look at. Just asphalt and cars. Not sure what the logic behind the decision to set up here was, Johnny Schwass usually is on the right track with that kind of thing... And that's my rant.

Happy New Year

Well, there won't be many people in Christchurch who are sorry to say goodbye to 2011....we are having a few peeps round to celebrate - I managed to find these wild flowers growing on our 'lawn'.


Happy New Year everyone!

Shaky Isles

A shaky day today, earthquake-wise. The Fat Boy didn't mind though - we had a little quiet time at a friend's place, enjoying an OK! Banana Nectar.

I am a thief.

One of the results of the earthquake is that there are many many properties which have been abandoned. Sometimes temporarily, but sometimes permanently. And many of these properties have lovely gardens. I am ashamed to admit I have been pilfering flowers. Not many. A few freesias in spring, and some daffodils.

A friend of a friend had a lovely property quite near us (the house is now demolished), and I visited there yesterday to gather some roses.... they are stunning, and now they are looked at and admired, instead of hidden and neglected.


I think I could go to jail for this....

Introduction to film...

Is it bad to sit your toddler down in front of The Labyrinth? He loves it, is captivated by Jennifer Connelly, and laughs at Hoggle...


But it is actually kind of violent...and scary....not least of all David Bowie's outfit. Hmm.