I had a lovely few days catching up with Glenda, Karen, Dave, Blair, Logan (briefly) and Claire before she and I headed back to Blenheim. There was also Glenda's new neighbours who were all lovely and good, though brief, company.
Two things of note this week:
1. You can't live life in fear of what may happen
2. Sometimes the best of times are the least expected
Earthquakes...I first saw the devastation the earthquake of Feb 2011 caused to Christchurch on a visit almost a year later. At that time Christchurch literally looked like it was a war zone with coffee cups and newspapers still lying on the coffee shop tables where they'd been abandoned that day; the curtains on the rooms of the Hilton hotel still blowing freely in the wind where glass used to be; oh yes and the buildings which had disintegrated to rubble in amongst the huge craters in the roads and pavements. At that time I think we all thought it was a one off freak of nature but now on a return visit to NZ you realise that the threat of earthquakes is just a way of life here not just confined to Christchurch but across the country; indeed the week before I arrived there was an earthquake near Wellington and felt in Blenheim in the South Island.
Claire (resident in Blenheim), Glenda (resident in Christchurch) and I were having this conversation on a day trip this week and I found myself panicking that it could happen at any moment whilst we were driving through a very long tunnel or up the side of a mountain...you really wouldn't want to be in either place. Panic really did set in.
However you very quickly learn that if you can't get over that then you shouldn't live in NZ...well not three quarters of it anyway. The people of Christchurch have developed a sense of humour about the whole thing - almost a sense of defiance. A book entitled You Know You're From Christchurch When (YKYFCW)...threw some interesting observations out there. YKYFCW....you update the GPS co-ordinated of your house more than your Facebook page. YKYFCW....post an aftershock you now play at guessing magnitude and location. YKYFCW....high viz jackets are a fashion item.
So you can plan for it but you never know when or where it is coming and you certainly can't spend too much time worrying about it cos once you've been through one I'm assured you realise how powerless you are in the face of such a force of nature.
As for Christchurch...it feels like the city is busier, there are cranes adorning the city skyline (as they're now the tallest structures in a city forced to rethink how it rebuilds). Building goods are being transported everywhere, there is a funky new visitors website and a sense that this is an opportunity to rebuild an amazing futuristic city....it does after all have a cardboard cathedral for the next few years.
As for me well probably the best way to sum it up is that it took Gareth (and a website) to tell me today that there had been a wee quake this morning whilst I was hanging out my washing...I didn't feel a thing (the first one on the pic below).
As for the best of times being unexpected...I didn't want to let this blog go without mentioning some new chums we met this week. Glenda, Claire and I set out on Thursday to visit a number of wineries never making it passed the first we came to. And even then if it hadn't been for the impressive responsiveness of a BMW X6's brakes I don't think we'd have been there.
We emergency stopped into a purpose built small warehouse / big garage winery called Straight 8 with a sense that if would be a quick visit, a slurp at some vinos we'd pretend we liked and a sympathy purchase of one bottle. Meeting James Shand who was to be our host didn't really change that perception (don't worry he said that himself)...straight back from building a shed he was filthy and something to behold.
Well who knew....two hours later we left (averaged stay at a winery is normally 20 mins) having had the most entertaining chat and interesting education on the NZ wine industry from the perspective of an independent estate battling against the ever more prevalent Big Boys. It was fascinating. And the wines were great as well. None of us have ever consistently loved every style of wine presented for tasting by the one estate but this time we did. We tried Rose, Riesling (2011, 2012, 2013), Gased (sparkling), Chardonnay (2010, 2011, 2012), Pinot Noir (2010, 2011) and Fizzy Flapper (a sparkling Pinot noir that we've promised James we'll add some gin, Cointreau and orange rind to and report back). All were fantastic.
What an amazing couple of hours spent with very informative and generous hosts in James and Mary Jamieson and Georgie the sheepdog pup. We'll definitely be staying in touch and if anyone is ever passing then popping in is an absolute must.....just don't be on a timetable!
So Friday brought me to Blenheim, my destination for the next seven weeks as housemate of Claire and Gareth's. I'll thank them in advance for their hospitality. So far Gareth's had me out learning to ride the scooter and then on my first bike ride in 9 months (sore today when I got back on). The bags are unpacked, and the next stage of the adventure starts tomorrow (after a comforting Sunday roast followed by the chocolate brownies Gareth and I just made to go with our Eureka "Straw" Pinot Noir dessert wine...more about Eureka next week).
Whilst in Christchurch and Blenheim I...
....HUNG OUT at Strsight 8 for way too long
....WINED ON...Jules Taylor Pinot Gris, Tohu Pinot Gris, plum wine, Eureka "Straw" Sauv Blanc and the occasional G&T....tonight is Straight 8 Riesling 2013....
....DINED AT.... Teppanyaki Takao at Kaiapoi
Oh and one last thing....my wine and spirit exams....I found out today I PASSED with DISTINCTION...woo hoo.
I'm not sure if it was this achievement alone or my overall influence on life that led to the nomination of a lifetime...maybe it was for my contribution to journalism...who knows but the pic below is my biggest achievement to date....
NEXT WEEK...life on a vineyard and do Marlborough Food and Wine Festival.
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