Category: Christchurch

Christchurch

Place 54 – Day 12: Christchurch – Banks Peninsula, Akaroa & Christchurch Centre

Kim & Curtis Hale

We only left the apartment around 12:00 as we caught up on sleep from being awake late last night.

By the time we left, the weather had improved and we got into the car with some scorching sun!

We drove to Banks Peninsula which is around 1.5 hours away from Christchurch, up in the mountains. Google Maps took us to the top of a mountain, but we got exquisite views from there!

We drove from here down to Akaroa. Akaroa is a small french inspired town due to its 10th century French colonisation. Most of the shops and roads have French names and it felt just like being in France!

We needed some food, so found a cafe and got a coffee and cake. The coffee was pretty disappointing, but it was what we needed.

We left here and went to a shop where we got some ham and cheese and then went to a French bakery and got a baguette.

We sat on a park bench overlooking the harbour eating baguette with ham and cheese.

We walked around for a brief moment and then strolled back to the car.

We drove all the way back to Christchurch and got back to the apartment, briefly, and then got back outside and walked the 20 minutes to the city centre.

In the centre, we walked down a nice street which had a few shops on it, called New Regent Street.

We had the tram go past us, also. It was a nice old style tram!

Walking on from here, we went to the Botanic Gardens and saw a lot of big and unique trees.

We left the botanic garden and on the way back home, we came to one of the most affected areas from the 2011 earthquake.

There are few buildings here now, but there still stands the Christ Church Cathedral, which is one of New Zealand’s top historic buildings. Unfortunely, the earthquake tore large holes into this cathedral and so it is cordened off, though it is part of a restoration project, which is estimated to take 7-10 years.

We got back home via the supermarket and fish and chips shop (to get more chips) and we had some leftover chinese for dinner.

We sat and watched some TV before hitting the hay, with a long drive planned for tomorrow.

This time last year!

Poroporoaki!

– Mr & Mrs Hale

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Christchurch, Oamaru

Place 64 & 54 – Day 2 & 11: Oamaru & Christchurch – Steampunk HQ & New Years Eve

Kim & Curtis Hale

We were up at a decent time as we had to leave the apartment at 10:00.

Curtis got some admin done in the morning before we all got ready and left.

We drove just down the road to the centre of Oamaru. In the centre, we saw a steam train and then the Steampunk HQ. This is where there is a big building with all Steampunk related items inside.

We spent a while there and saw a lot of odd and wonderful items!

There was an outside section in which we were able to mess around on things, including going inside the big bus.

Inside the bus, there was a ‘white room’. This room was a 10 minute projection of what was basically a bunch of optical illusions and music.

We left here and had a wander around the town. There were a lot of antiques and steampunk items around, which was good to kill some time.

We got back in the car and drove on towards Christchurch.

We stopped in Timaru for some food and then got back on the road to Christchurch.

We got to our apartment and relaxed, getting a chinese takeaway for dinner and watching TV.

We stayed up and watched the Auckland fireworks for the new year and then went to bed.

Happy New Year!

This time last year!

Poroporoaki!

– Mr & Mrs Hale

Auckland, Christchurch

Place 49 & 54 – Day 202 & 10: Auckland & Christchurch – Croissants, Burgers & Plane Whiskey

Kim & Curtis Hale

Curtis’ Day;

Curtis left the hotel early to get to the client to get the remaining user done before he had to go to the airport.

Curtis got the remaining users done, but there were a few issues so it took a while! He then built a spare laptop and had to fight with the printers to change their settings for the new system!

Once that was done, Curtis’ boss took him to the airport and Curtis was off back to Auckland!

Before going through security, Curtis got a ham and cheese croissant. He went through security and then ate his snack!

After this, he got a coffee (which wasn’t tasty) and then he waited for the boarding call.

Once on the plane, Curtis was deciding what to get with his $10 voucher. Once he was asked, he decided upon a Canadian Club whiskey with soda water which was delightful!

After landing, Curtis got an uber back home. The driver decided to take the long route so it took an hour!

Both of us;

When Kim got home, we packed up for a couple of days and then drove out to the house sitting house.

We saw the dog and Curtis met her for the first time. We then took her our for a walk. People loved her!

Once we got back from the walk, we started getting a little hungry so we went for a walk to find food. Luckily, we’re right next to the town!

We found a place called ‘Burgers Burgers’ which Kim has been recommended a lot.

The staff were lovely and the burgers were just ‘ok’. They were a little too big and just fell apart, which made it frustrating! That being said they were delicious.

Curtis’ ‘kiwi classic’ burger and our potato skins!

Kim’s ‘MC Fly’ chicken burger!

We also got potato skins with truffle oil and homemade aioli, which were excellent.

Once we got back to the apartment, we just chilled out and spent time together, and with the dog, of course!

This time last year!

Poroporoaki!

– Mr & Mrs Hale

Auckland, Christchurch

Place 49 & 54 – Day 201 & 9: Auckland & Christchurch – A Cold

Kim & Curtis Hale

Curtis’ Day;

Curtis woke up with a sort throat and blocked nose… A cold! That’s what happens when it’s freezing in Christchurch!

Curtis and his boss needed to get the PC imaged in the morning as there were some problems with it overnight so had to do that then head to the client.

Once they got to the client (it was 2° so it was cold!) they got started right away. Curtis setup a laptop at someone’s desk and then spent a while trying to fix a problem but ended up just re-building it as it was just not playing ball!

In the afternoon, Curtis and his boss had a couple of things to do, but a lot of it was waiting for 3rd parties and for people to leave the office.

They were able to get the 3rd party to do their thing but then they were unable to do anything because it was too late.

They brought back a PC to the hotel to get that one sorted.

Once back at the hotel, Curtis got hungry so he had smokey BBQ beans on toast which hit the spot!

Curtis then worked for a few hours and then just chilled out. He had to pack tonight as he heads back to Auckland tomorrow!

This time last year!

Poroporoaki!

– Mr & Mrs Hale

Auckland, Christchurch

Place 49 & 54 – Day 200 & 8: Auckland & Christchurch – Evening Pooch Walk

Kim & Curtis Hale

Curtis’ Day;

Curtis and his boss left at 07:50 and got to the client at 08:00.

Curtis already had one machine done and two almost done by 10:00! That’s good timing!

Curtis spent a couple of hours time helping with some issues as well as getting on with migrating users.

With one team to go, Curtis and his boss decided it was easier to add all 8 profiles into one machine, rather than each of them, and then ‘image’ (a fancy word for copy) it to all the other machines. There is also a fancy machine they they need to get another company to do, so they’re waiting for that to happen tomorrow, too.

It got to 17:15 and Curtis and his boss left. Curtis was very hungry as he had no food all day, mostly because he forgot to take any!

For dinner, Curtis and his boss had two pastas… A pesto & gnocchi pasta and a Carbonara. Both were delicious and Curtis was very hungry!

After this, Curtis and his boss had work to do at the hotel! There was the imaging to do and there was some files to move around.

Once this was done, Curtis headed to bed and chatted with Kim.

Kim’s Evening;

This evening Kim popped home because she forgot to bring enough clothes for the week. So she dropped off her laundry and grabbed some other stuff too.

On the way home Kim picked Tabitha up and then they went and took the pooch out for a nice evening stroll.
They then spent the evening vegging in front to the TV all relaxed and stuff. It was really lovely.

When Tabitha headed home Kim got lunch ready for the next day.

Just before heading to sleep Kim had a nice chat with Curtis.

This time last year!

Poroporoaki!

– Mr & Mrs Hale

Auckland, Christchurch

Place 49 & 54 – Day 199 & 7: Auckland & Christchurch – Tax Refunds!

Kim & Curtis Hale

Curtis’ Day;

Curtis woke up and had Weetbix with banana and a coffee for breakfast.

Once they were ready, Curtis and his boss drove to the client and got three slightly before 08:00.

Once Curtis got there, he continued, and did for most of the day, migrating emails between the old and new system.

Throughout the day, Curtis helped with a few questions and problems from users and then it was home time!

Curtis and his boss left around 17:30 and went back to the apartment before heading back out again for dinner.

For dinner, they had fish and chips! It wasn’t great but did the job.

Once Curtis got back to the apartment again, he got some work done, which was copying files from one place to another.

Once Curtis finished with the evening work, he chilled out in and and then spoke with Kim before sleeping. He also noticed he got a nice tax refund!

Kim’s Evening;

Kim popped home to grab stuff that she forgot, what a surprise!

She then went back to the pupper and fed her. Kim hen took her on a nice little walk.

When she got in Kim got ready to head out. She was going to dinner with Vicki.

They went to a lovely Italian where Vicki and Kim shared a bruschetta. Vicki then a mushroom and cheese ravioli and Kim had duck and mushroom ravioli. It was delicious!
They then both headed off to the house of chocolate. They both had a smore dessert with salted caramel ice cream.

When Kim got home she made macaroni for the 4th of July celebration at work tomorrow for lunch!

Kim also had a nice tax refund!

This time last year!

Poroporoaki!

– Mr & Mrs Hale

Auckland, Christchurch

Place 49 & 54 – Day 198 & 6: Auckland & Christchurch – House Sitting

Kim & Curtis Hale

Curtis’ Day;

Curtis flew back to Christchurch today.

Curtis got and uber from home at 07:00 and got to the airport at 07:35.

Curtis had no bag to check so went right through security, grabbed a coffee and waited at the gate.

Once Curtis boarded, he helped an older lady with her bag and got chatting. This helped the time go quicker and before he knew it, he was in Christchurch.

Curtis got picked up by his boss and went to the client.

Once Curtis got to the client, he made good progress and then left at 17:15. There was still some things to do from the hotel, so Curtis and his boss went to the supermarket to get food. Curtis got soup and ate that when he got back and finished off his work.

Curtis spoke with Kim and then went to bed at 20:00 to chill out.

Kim’s Day;

Kim left work and then headed home to get some things together for her week and a bit away dog sitting for a friend.

One else had all her stuff she headed to the town over and hugged the beautiful husky who she is looking after.

The Kim decided she got hungry so she started making dinner and thought the followed all the steps to get the oven to work but to no avail. So Kim gave up and went and got a small takeaway Katsu curry from down the road, it was really nice for Kim to be able to walk into town to get something!

When Kim got back she settled down with her dinner and watched some TV and then had a little phone call with Curtis.

Tabitha then came over and they then both went on the dog walk, just as they were all heading home it started to rain, so that was good timing.
The girls then sat down to watch Bad Neighbours 2 with dessert, it was such a great way to spend the evening. Kim also got her lunches ready.

Tabitha then went home and Kim got herself ready for bed and then had a nice chat with Curtis.

Kim left work and then headed home to get some things together for her week and a bit away dog sitting for a friend.

This time last year!

Poroporoaki!

– Mr & Mrs Hale

Auckland, Christchurch

Place 49 & 54 – Day 195 & 5: Auckland & Christchurch – Homemade Chinese Banquet

Kim & Curtis Hale

Curtis’ Day;

Curtis left the hotel at 07:30 and got to the client at about 07:45.

Curtis had only half the day to get stuff done, so it was all hands on deck!

Curtis got one PC he started yesterday completed as well as a another, which was fairly successful in just a few hours.

At 12:30, Curtis’ boss drove him to the airport and dropped him off for his flight home. Curtis checked in and grabbed a coffee before going through security and arriving at the gate.

Curtis skated for a while and then the plane boarded and took off. Curtis landed at 15:20 and got an uber home.

Both of us;

Once Kim got home we had a homemade Chinese banquet! It took a while to make, but it was great!

  • Chinese Pork
  • Lemon chicken
  • Rice
  • Dumplings
  • Broccoli
  • Spring Rolls

Once we are our food, Kim watched love island with Nicola and then we watched the Bridge before going to bed.

This time last year!

Poroporoaki!

– Mr & Mrs Hale

Auckland, Christchurch

Place 49 & 54 – Day 194 & 4: Auckland & Christchurch – More Puppies!

Kim & Curtis Hale

Curtis’ Day;

Curtis and his boss got to the client for around 07:45 this morning. They got to the department they needed to finish off from yesterday and got that finished! There were a lot of dogs in the room again, which was fun!

Once that room was sorted, they moved onto another room and these PCs were taking a bit too long so they did a lot of admin related things until they had to leave around 17:00.

Once they left, they got back to the hotel and finished off a few things before going out for dinner.

They went to a Vietnamese place and had:

  • Fried pork dumplings
  • Sweet and sour pork
  • Fried cabbage in oyster sauce
  • Rice

It was pretty tasty, not that the place looked that nice!

Curtis got back to the apartment and chilled out for the rest of the evening. He spoke with Kim before going to sleep. Curtis flies home at 14:00 tomorrow!

Kim’s Evening;

Kim stopped by the supermarket on the way home to collect some stuff for dinner tomorrow night!

When she got home Kim started to prepare the dinner for tomorrow night by marinading the pork.
She then started on her own dinner for tonight which was more mince (yay!!) with some veggies and wedges.
Kim and Nicola sat down to watch some TV.

After they watched a bit of TV Kim cooked some pasta to go with the last of the mince for lunch tomorrow.
Then Kim continued with tomorrow dinner by marinating the chicken.
Kim then got herself ready for the next day and finished the day with a nice chat with Curtis.

This time last year!

Poroporoaki!

– Mr & Mrs Hale

Auckland, Christchurch

Place 49 & 54 – Day 193 & 3: Auckland & Christchurch – Puppy Invasion!

Kim & Curtis Hale

Curtis’ Day;

Curtis set an alarm too early by accident, which meant he woke up too early!

Curtis got ready and had just an apple and a coffee for breakfast and then at 07:30, he headed to the client.

There was someone they needed to see early on and then throughout the day, Curtis was able to get a lot done. There was a lot of puppies around at the client today, which were cute but they also kept peeing and pooing!

Curtis left the client at 17:30 and grabbed some dinner.

Curtis and his boss went to an Italian restaurant for dinner. They shared a meat lovers pizza and a roasted pumpkin salad which was actually delicious!

Once that was finished, they headed back to the hotel and chilled out for the evening.

Curtis spoke to Kim a bit and spoke about his day with her.

Kim’s evening;

Kim got home and had a really nice relaxed evening!

She made pasta bolognese and watched TV with Nicola.

She did make plans to head out and see Tabitha but they both realised they were too tired to actually go out today so Kim got her lunch ready for the next day, watched a bit more TV and then had a chat with Curtis!

This time last year!

Poroporoaki!

– Mr & Mrs Hale