I arrived and Tony warmly greeted me and sat me down with a drink and asked me about my journey and reason for being here. There was no sign of Heff but Tony informed me that occasionally she had to 'crash out' every now and again after a car accident a few years ago. Tony gave me a delicious supper of salmon and salad and then offed a tour of the surrounding area since I was new to the place. He was a really nice chap and showed me the highlights of Christchurch took me to the old buildings and showed me the sights from the warmth of the car because it was getting more than a little dark and chilly outside, in fact it was blowing hard and icy rain was pouring out of the sky. It was not completely unheard of to have snow in December but it was rare since Christmas day was the first day of summer he informed me. There was no snow but it was cold enough to make sure that the only time that we ventured from the car was to go to a cafe (in the old 'English architecture' buildings that had been made into a fully functioning arts centre) for a hot choc.
The next morning I met Heff and she was lovely! She apologised for not being around the previous evening and would I like to come with her to the arts market and to get some bits together for her pre Christmas dinner that she was having that evening with her family before they went to Dublin to celebrate Christmas with other relatives and would I like to join them? I was delighted to be asked and accepted gratefully. Before that however we met one of Heffs cousins for (only top quality) coffee (which Heff it addicted to!) who was down from Wellington with her daughter. She was making her first attempt at writing a novel and so the discussions ranged over which books she should read to get inspiration and how might she phrase this or set the scene for that.
The Arts market was buzzy with crafts people all there trying to eek out the last few dollars from the Christmas shoppers. the one stall that we went to was a dress stall and Heff wanted to speak to the girl who made the dresses but it was only her co stall holder there. We looked at the dresses for Heff wanted one made to fit her and she said that she had been loosing a lot of weight and would like something special. There were some beautiful dresses there and I was looking at one made from two squares of fabric cleverly joined. Heff insisted I try it on so we trooped off to the local public convenience, to save blushes. It did look great! Heff insisted that she pay for it for now and it was to be a loan and one I'd earned enough I would pay her back. It was done! And it was beautiful!
We had to go to lots of different shops and pick up food for the different parties that Heff and Tony Daly were going to be at over the holidays. Various berries, hot smoked salmon as well as a grocery run.

On the return home I was put in charge of the present wrapping after Heff proclaiming earlier that she had no wrapping abilities I said that I'd be able to help with that. I was handed armfuls of wrapping paper and ribbons and I was put to work.

Heffs' real name is Joan-Mary Heffanun and Tony Daly has always been Tony Daly and that is probably the way they will stay! Her mother came and her brother and the cousins form that morning and the nephew and the brothers friend! It was quite a party and a real family atmosphere! I was privileged to be there and even was presented with a present of a beaded Tiki glasses case (which I was informed made a brilliantly classy tampon holder!)

The next morning was a slow start for all! I was planning on leaving that day and there were a whole lot of things I had to do before I could go. I went and met Heff's friends for lunch at a lovely cafe/designer clothing store. Then it was off to the dress makers that we had failed to meet before at the arts market and then up a local hill for some exercise before I headed off for Geraldine which according to Tony was a good place to head for on the way to Queenstown.
They drove me to a junction then waved me off, they went home I went on.