What Irene and Daphne calls "snow in hot ginger liqueur"

Irene once she warmed up

Daphne just loves having her picture taken

Eventually we got there, even managed to get her to remove her hat

I am getting the finger pointed at me - cannot remember what for!

Last day/night in New Zealand: 8th July 2010

The reason for picking the Kiwi Backpackers was that both Irene and Daphne had moved there from the White Elephant. They had secured work packing lily bulbs and were to start the following week. But as they were cash strapped they were on the move to another cheaper hostel, then would rent a house with 4 other girls in Ashburton (just south of Christchurch). Would have loved the opportunity to have stayed longer, just for the craich and the food.

Day started with a trip to DHL to send back home a box of clothes, books, leaflets and merchandise that I had collected. The box was only half the size of a bankers box but still managed to pack 9.5 kilos.

That done it was back to the city and find somewhere to park, max 2 hours outside the hostel during the day. All one way streets, few signs so ended up getting lost. A parking warden actually helped me out so got a free space until 1800 hrs, when the gates to the car park would be locked.

Met Irene and Daphne in the information office and after spending some of their money we headed out into drizzle. Actually got worse during the day and rained constantly during the day and night.

Paid for the girls to take the tram ride, they had little money for frivolous things, but really they were right as it was a total waste of time. Could not let on though.

Visited the Cathedral which was complete with beautiful stained glass windows and a rose window. If one did not know the history of Christchurch one could be forgiven in thinking that this building was much older than the Victorian period. Due to the weather we spent quite a bit of time inside looking at all the windows and information available.

We all decided that we would go for a meal and looked at the restaurant guide. We had a tramp to find some of them but even I was not impressed. On our way we passed a car showroom, entirely of classic cars, mostly British. Had to go in as one was a MKVIIM Jaguar - only NZ$28,500, drive away condition. I did fancy the car next to it though, an Alvis but this was priced at NZ$280,000 - oh dear! What was also amazing about this showroom was that around the walls were glass cases crammed full of motoring memorabilia, collections of old Dinky, Corgi and other makes (nice to see some old friends as well) and models for sale - including Oxford diecast models which are comparatively new on the market. They had three diecast models, MK VII, VIII and IX for sale - very good quality - priced at NZ$140 (£70.00). Never seen them before but well £70 each!!!

We found our restaurant, not in the guide books, but food was good. To start with we had strips of spicy chicken and I had a beef soup. 4 large meat balls followed plus chicken in a peanut sauce, a mixed seafood dish, bowl of plain rice each - all washed down with copious quantity of chinese tea. Very enjoyable, mad the girls laugh with the way I use chop sticks - kept asking if I wanted a fork - cheeky buggers. Cost was only NZ$20 each.

Had to leave the girls to pick up the car and agreed that I would meet them at their new hostel at 19.30. Got back to the hostel okay, used satnav - left here and right there etc. Ditto for finding the girls hostel. Just as I was leaving my hostel Daphne rings and says to contact Irene on my arrival but did not explain anymore. Find out that she had left her hot flask in the restaurant and had decided to walk into town in the pouring rain to retrieve. Thankfully Irene and I decided to drive in and pick her up - Daphne had got lost and could not find the place. Had a bit of a laugh when she found us - soaking wet and cold.

Anyway had a great evening eating snow in a hot sweet ginger liquor. Both girls tried to explain how the white balls are made but basic ingredient is a type of flour. Very tasty and on a cold night certainly heated the innards. Daphne then made her version of pancakes to which we smeared nutella on one and Irene's homemade sweet (notice the theme here) apple jam on the others. Absolutely gorgeous - yum yum yum. Plenty of chat and laughs and sad to leave. Again thanks girls for a great day, your company - one to treasure.

Early start the next day, drop the car off and fly to Nadi airport via Auckland. Both flights went well but had a rather smelly individual next to me on the domestic flight - pleased to arrive.