Yum, dinner

We've had a few days of NZ hospitality at it's finest. Firstly in Kaikura we were adopted by Nicola, who insisted that we stayed with her family while in town, despite only knowing us for 10 mins. (maybe it was no coincidence we met her in a pub called Donegal House?). Nicola, her husband Glenn, and their two young sons made us feel very welcome and we had a fantastic day with them on the beach, where the boys scrambled on rocks near basking seals (lovely to watch, but really stinky up close), while Glenn donned his wetsuit to dive for crayfish and paua (a type of abalone/sea snail with mother of pearl shells) for dinner that night. 
In the afternoon we took a boat trip to spot sperm whales feeding about 20km offshore. The operators said that we might see one or two if we were lucky, and that they'd had to refund an earlier trip because of no sightings - but we saw five whales in all. Even though you only see the top of their body and tail it's enough to give an impression of their immense size, and the grace they move with for all that is something we'll remember for a long time. 
In the evening we ate Glenn's barbequed crayfish and paua and, under the clearest star-lit sky, experienced the weird sensation of a NZ North Westerly wind - where the wind actually warms you against the cooler ambient temperature. By the time we left, we felt like we'd known them for years, and hopefully we will do.
In Christchurch we'd arranged to call in on a friend's parents, Dennis & Glenys, and collect a replacement credit card that had been forwarded to them. As the weather turned from warm sun to chilly rain Glenys too insisted that we stay the night with them. Dennis was an instant hit with the boys, with his Maori stories and pool hustling tips, and Glenys' warm bubbliness made us feel instantly at home. 
So a huge thanks then to Nic, Glenn, Aston, Hagan, Dennis & Glenys for your generosity and warmth. If ever we can return the favour...