The Summer solstice

Yesterday was the summer solstice, unless you are unfortunate enough to live in the Northern Hemisphere.


Bob drove us to the lovely village of Akaroa. This village was originally founded by the French, who, if the had arrived two years earlier could have made South Island a French colony. We had intended to go out on a boat to see dolphins and possible whales, but the seas were high and all but the two biggest boats were bound in the harbor.  Instead we went for a lunch of incredibly delicious fish n' chips.  We walked out on the boat pier and enjoyed the sun and lots of wind and then walked back to the beach.  Rowan and Avery went swimming and playing in the sand, while we crumbled in the shade of a beachside tree and enjoyed the ocean air.  I walked down to the French butcher shop and looked around a bit.  I was attracted to the butterflied leg of lamb pre-seasoned Moroccan for the barbie. In the mid-afternoon we drove back through the gorgeous countryside of colossal volcanic hills covered with trees, grasses and sheep.

Last evening we went up to a park on top of the ridge and waited for the mid-summer's moon -made special this year by a full eclipse. At first it seemed we would be disappointed as there was heavy mist along the horizon and full eclipse was scheduled for 9:15 pm.  But about 9:22 the pinkish brown disc forced its way through the clouds and from then on did justice to the night sky. We watched until about  10:30 when the creamy midsummer moon proved enough light to make our way back along the rocky trail in the park to our car and then home.