5 nights in Abu Dhabi.

Early flight to Sydney OK. Enjoyed the rest period in the holiday inn near airport. Would definitely use this again. Evening flight Sydney to ABU DHABI always going to be a 14 hour killer. Arrived in Abu Dhabi to a downpour but weather soon cleared. 1st day warm and overcast so we caught up on some sleep and visited three Marina Mall, bought some shorts. The Oryx Hotel is a great location. 800 metres to beach. Got its own Irish pub with a lengthy happy hour, 20% discount on food. Worked out £5 for a pint of good lager, also its a sports bar with all the footy. Step outside the reception area turn left walk 15 yards and there a door to a booze shop. Used the private beach, £9 each for a lounger and umbrella. Lovely sand on beach.

Very last day, flight tomorrow.

Met the family down at the riverside food stalls in Christchurch. Poor Flossie wasn't feeling too well and had to go back home early with Shanti. We all managed to get a bite around the table had a natter then me, Barb, Tim and Aiden had a walk around the art gallery and completed our goodbyes at the bus station. Taxi booked for 3.45am so fingers crossed.

Saturday before our return home.

Only got the Sunday after this. A lot of what we did hasn't been recorded here. We've had some great trips to the swimming complex at jellie park and ate at some nice places. Today I went to English Park for another walking footy session and gave Adam a Wigan Walkers hat. He proudly declared an affiliation with WW and was made up with the hat. Later I met up with Tim, Barb and the kids up in the hills at Sign of The Kiwi restaurant. Later took the picturesque route around the harbour to Lyttelton and then Sumner. Great swim, water about 17c. Pot of tea and a lovely chat with two ladies.

Long weekend in Hanmer Springs.

Our third visit here. Love it especially for the hot springs. Great for aches and pains. Also a good 25 metre pool for swimming lengths. The flumes aren't so bad either. We arrived Thursday and took advantage of the good weather, early morning walk for me in the hills then about 5 hours in the hot springs complex. The others arrived Friday and so we had another day in the pools. Some nice meals out. Sunday morning pitch and putt.

Diamond harbour.

Took Elliot on 5he boat from Lyttelton to Diamond Harbour. Quick lunch then return.

Videos of the fun day

Videos of Fun day.

Sunday fun day at the. Club

Morning walk

Been walking Thor for the last week. Really nice dog who is owned by Tony's son but cared for at Tony's. Apparently not great with kids.

Hagley park with Elliot

Most days we pick Elliot up at 12:30 from daycare and take him somewhere. Usually New Brighton or Sumner. Today we went to Hagley park.

Saturday at the club.

We babysat Elliot while Flossie was At sleep over and Tim and Shanty out for Meal. Best place to do this... down at the Richmond club. A few pints, fill him with E's and get him active ready for his bedtime story and sleep. Now the plan was to get out of the club before the music started but Elliot proved to be a music and dance freak who insisted that we stay.

A Saturday stroll around Christchurch.

Arthur's Pass

Driving back from west coast, stopped at Arthurs for coffee and to see these.

Greymouth

As well as Hokitiki we spent some time in Greymouth itself, not the most inspiring of places but OK. We had a nice afternoon in the excellent swimming baths and on our last full day drove up the gorge scenic wet coast road to Punakaiki where the famous pancake rocks are.