Since returning to the CHCH region we have enjoyed a variety of activities. Finding a safe moorage for the boat became the first activity. Lyttleton harbor along w/ being the epicenter for the earthquakes and all major south sea explorations in the past 100years was the site of a big storm about 10 years ago and the majority of yacht moorings were destroyed. Our first harbor was the Navy Point harbor but after 2 nights there and with strong encouragement from our friends on Cutty Hunk we moved to the inner harbor and sat out a Southerly front that accelerates from the high hills surrounding the harbor. Waitangi treaty day is a big national holiday and we went w/ the Bower's to a Moirori (native people) village. I was selected to help paddle one of the big (50) man canoes to the village then we enjoyed a traditional feast w/ 1cow, 2 pigs, 6 sheep and 60 chikens all buried in a pit w/ vegetables Wow! The following day we headed out to Akaroa harbor on the S side of Banks Peninsula in preparation for our trip to Stewart I and Fiordland. As we waited for the right weather window a call came in that Bill Anderson (Augusta's dad who visited us in Panama) was flying in the next day! It would have been a big surprise had we been out to sea but just like the rest of our trip someone is always looking out for us and it all worked out. The reunion was good we enjoyed a leg-o- lamb and agreed no-one has changed in the past year except for the kids. As we waited for weather we continued to hike and explore the hills around Akaroa and I got to sail in a regatta on another boat. The weather dictates our trip and after a week the "window" still is not opening so plans change and we are headed back to CHCH w/ Grandpa Billy as our new crew member.