Ali’s Blog

Well, however much I try to ignore that it is happening, Christmas seems to have arrived anyway. Even after 12 years in New Zealand, I still struggle to reconcile Christmas and summer- it feels so weird after many,many Northern Hemisphere Christmases.

Well anyway the first event of the Christmas calendar happened last night with a huge open air concert in Hagley Park in the centre of Christchurch. We are so lucky to have such a wonderful venue right in the centre of town and have a lot to thank the city’s forefathers who had the foresight to insist on having the park there (modelled some say on London’s Hyde Park). Each year over 100,000 people collect to picnic and party there for this concert (and many of the other free concerts that are put on by the City Council). We went with colleague Derek and family and Sonia and her 4-year old Jack. It does seem odd sitting in bright sunshine (in the early evening) singing Christmas carols, but did feel more Christmassy as the light faded and the giant Christmas tree got lit up. The concert finishes with a spectacular firework display and for the first time Thomas did not seem to mind the bangs. A great time was had by all and Thomas was asleep as soon as we started off in the car home.

I am going away on Friday for the next 2 weeks overseas and then I get back and Christmas really will be here- so it is time I switched this computer off and hit the shops.