I arrived around 1130 and was picked up by a friend for a yumcha lunch together with several university mates. The afternoon went quickly with endless chats in the restaurant and at a friend’s house.
I had organised my rental car for 1700 so that it would coincide with our intended return time on the last day. Once I got my wheels, I drove to Purau Bay in the Diamond Harbour area outside of Christchurch, staying with my cousin Dominic.
The weather was unseasonally cool and drizzly. The windy drive from Christchurch to Purau took me on windy roads which should have been scenic, overlooking hills and sea. But it wasn’t meant to be. I could barely see beyond the road.
After about an hour, I arrived at Dominic’s “bach” (Kiwi word for holiday house) overlooking Purau Bay. It had a marvellous outlook despite the weather conditions. We had a leisurely dinner and plenty of chats before retiring.