The first photo is of where I stayed with Dave and Becca whilst working at the University in Christchurch during Jan/Feb 2000....It was right next to the University - being a view of the house taken from the top floor of the physics department. The third photo in one looking from the other side of the stairwell looking towards the Port Hills.....

And the view in reverse....the large building middle right is the physics dept. where I worked - about 5 miles distant. The lighter coloured strip in the middle of the photo is Christchurch airport (about 10 miles distant). This photo was taken at about 730am and I actually took it because of the plume of smoke being trapped near the ground beyond the airport. The Southern Alps in the distance are about 35 miles away.

Around Christchurch itself. Here's the church by day and by night.

A single tramline runs around Christchurch centre whilst lots of the cars, both here and throughout New Zealand date from the '60s, 70's and 80's

Last view from Christchuch - of the fountain in the Botanic Gardens.

Now for a whole load of sunrise and sunset photos taken from the Port Hills. First, a couple looking the otherway from Christchurch - of Lyttleton, Christchurch's sea port. These were taken from close to the top of the gondola ride a couple of days after we arrived.

Another night, another sunset.

And again - note the stable boundary layer appearing as a bright band mid-way up the silhouette of the Southern Alps!!

The following are from the other end of the day and were taken on two separate early morning excursions. The first 4 photos were from the first of these trips - the colours were tremendous - see the 4th photo especially. That was a great way to start a January work day!! All these photos were taken looking towards Lyttleton - so its hidden in the near forground in the first 4 photos and on the left of the latter 5.

Finally around Christchurch - a bit further afield. I drove to Akaroa one Friday evening which is about 50 miles from Christchurch in the middle of Banks Penisula. This peninsula is definitely "hilly", with some of the peaks reaching nearly 3000 feet. I ate fish and chips sat at the end of the jetty, where I sat whilst taking the 2nd photo. Close to sunset the clouds were spilling over from the sea-ward side (3rd photo) whilst the last photo is another default sunset photo!