Thanksgiving

Craig:

Thanksgiving is not celebrated here in New Zealand, and most people when told that we are going to celebrate Thanksgiving wondered what the big deal was.  Well, "the big deal" is hundreds of years of tradition dating back to 1621 (I said to one nay-sayer that New Zealand was not even a country in 1621), eating copious amounts of food, watching football, and hanging out with family and friends.  We managed to do get most of those things done on our Thanksgiving here in New Zealand.  Here is the day in pictures:

We started the day with a tour of the Christchurch Botanical Rose Garden

This variety was called "Tequila Sunrise"

After our morning excursion, it was time to get down to the cooking.

Bridget preparing the turkey

the stuffing

First Annual Thanksgiving game of chess (waiting for the turkey to roast)

the finished product

the Thanksgiving spread

getting ready to eat with our authentic Thanksgiving head dresses (thanks Mom)

BEFORE

AFTER

We hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving.  Can't wait to be back in the U.S. for Thanksgiving 2010!

And let the record show that Bridget was the winner of the First Annual Thanksgiving game of chess (I could not believe it... I was too worried about getting a queen back and she maneuvered in for the kill)

Castle Hill

Craig:

Yesterday, I had the day off and was invited to go on a day trip to Castle Hill (unfortunately Bridget had to work).  Castle Hill is a small area in the central South Island which contains some very interesting geological formations.  The most notable formations are its limestone boulders that litter the landscape.  The boulders are the result of three mountains ranges all pushing together in one central spot in a triangle formation.  The limestone below is being thrust upward and the boulders are what is left from the elements...earthquakes, erosion, etc.

The purpose of my visit however was not particularly geology related.  Castle Hill is known for its world renowned rock climbing, specifically bouldering.  Bouldering is a form of rock climbing usually done without the use of ropes and performed on very short routes.  Most place a crash pad underneath the climber for protection in the event of a fall.  Anyone who is anyone is the New Zealand rock climbing world has climbed at Castle Hill.  It was recently said to be one of the top three places in the world to boulder (as rated by a New Zealand magazine...they think pretty highly of their own terrain).

Most of my day was spent wondering through, over, under, around, and on this massive boulder field.  Without climbing shoes, I was pretty limited to what I could climb but did spend some time in my bare feet playing on this boulder:

I don't know if you can make it out but the scenery behind was awesome.  It was my first glimpse of the New Zealand Southern Alps (well, the start of them anyway).  Here are some more pics from the day.

The mountain view from the summit of Castle Hill

A section of the Castle Hill boulder field.  These rocks are about 70 to 80 feet high.

View from the car park.  

For some more epic pictures, check out their website: http://www.tota.co.nz/castlehill/

Christchurch Botanic Gardens... and Egg Goo

Bridget:

Last Sunday Craig and I both had the night off, so we headed out to the city's botanic gardens to do a little picture-taking.  Here are a few of the best ones:

Entrance to the gardens and Canterbury Art Centre in the background.

Interesting Iris Variety

Taking a stroll through the Japanese garden section.

Central Area of the Park where people like to hang out and relax or play "football." 

Flowering Rhododendron Bushes

Assortment of Wildflowers 

If anyone knows what flower this, please let me know :)  

(maybe the beginnings of a rhododendron flower?)

After spending a good couple hours meandering our way through the park, we crossed the bridge to the other side of the river that runs through Hagley Park and decided to head back to the house.  Having worked all day, I asked if we could please sit for a while on the bench to rest my feet.   A few minutes later as I am just about ready to keep walking, we are suddenly startled by something falling out of a tree...no, a rock being thrown our way....no, wait....oh yes...that would be three eggs being hurled at our backs from across the river.  One goes whooshing over our heads, the other misses, and SPLAT...the last one hits Craig directly on the lower back. I didn't realize they were eggs of course, until Craig turns around to show me his back.....his back that is dripping with egg goo.  We looked for the perpetrators and found them casually speed-walking their bikes away from us and ducking behind the closest row of bushes.  Punks!  Apparently, after retelling the story to my co-workers, this is the time of year for it....pranks, that is.  This is the end of the school year, so high school pranksters are out in full colors.  Well, next time we have decided to be prepared for anything.  So yes, that means we will be carrying eggs with us at all times. :)