Christchurch Part 2: the family influx

Port Hills looking down towards Lyttelton Harbour 

After our couple of days down in Frankton we flew back up to Christchurch, on what was thankfully a lot smoother flight.

We had a pretty lazy day on the Thursday hanging out in the suburb of Ilam where Becks' parents live. During the day we popped next door to see their longtime neighbours. Last time Becks was at home she received a thermomix demonstration when she visited and was keen for me to have the same evangelical experience so we can buy one! The ice cream that was knocked up in seconds was very good, although the price tag is a little eye watering.

Views out to see

On the Friday Robin had most of the day off work so we drove out to the Port Hills which have sweeping views over Christchurch and Lyttelton Harbour. We did a short walk after parking the car to take in the views of the harbour.

On the Friday afternoon my family all arrived in Christchurch, in time for the wedding lunch we had planned on the Sunday. Mum and dad arrived first, flying in from Napier in the North Island and then Ruth and arrived arrived on the train from Kaikoura in the early evening. It was must first time at Christchurch train station and it is quite a smart little station considering it is only a single track line. The two trains we saw looked like they were catered squarely at the tourists.

On the Friday night we all had dinner at Dux Dine in the away leg of the family meal we had in London on the night before our wedding back in May.

Family dinner in Dux Dine

On Saturday lunchtime we met up with the Unwins who had all flown in from Australia to come to our celebration lunch the next day. Becks and I had had dinner with Bruce and Di a couple of years ago in London, but I hadn't seen Brad, Chel and Elizabeth since leaving Australia and had never met their son Mark before. It was lovely to have a proper catch up with everyone over lunch. It was also nice for mum and dad to meet the Aussies that had looked after me while I was in Oz.