kaikoura in the distance

Corsair Bay, Christchurch

This is a real nice beach for those who don't care for waves. Sheltered well within a natural harbor, in the crater of an extinct volcano- in the summer it is like a salt-water swimming pool.

Quail Island, Christchurch

First of a series of snaps from the latest holiday

40 years

I wasn't on the ship, but was lucky to live through that storm...

RIP Derek Lovell- An NZ hero

"...New Zealand Fire Service corporate communications manager Scott Sargentina said Senior Station Officer Derek Lovell died from his injuries at Waikato Hospital.

Seven others from Mr Lovell's Hamilton-based crew were injured in the blast at Icepak Group's coolstore in suburban Tamahere on the southeast outskirts of the city..."

Link:

I don't use the term hero often- it's been seriously abused by the media.

These guys earn it all the time. Hell, anytime anything dangerous went down, I got to wait at a safe distance for them to bring the casualties out. I often saw firemen go into some real dodgey situations.

This time their number was up...

Flatpoint

Lake Wairarapa

'Swing bridge' is a very good name!