Staying in the hostel just next to the Cathedral (now without its spire). Singing Brown Eyed Girl in a bar with a band and forgetting all the words to the second verse. Drinking my first Bloody Mary whilst nursing a hangover and never liking the drink since. Nearly killing two Aussie girls, Kim and Emily, when I lost control of the car in a corner on the way back from the Akaroa peninsular. Having a late night chat with Kim but stupidly not making the move. Dancing on the bar with the bogan Aussies drinking free jugs of cocktails. Walking round most of the city to try and find a chocolatier that no longer existed. Bumping into a friend from Sydney. Meeting a random Japanese guy that had just had a swordfight with Tom Cruise for The Last Samurai. Writing down my thoughts as I say by the river Avon, wishing I could pen them as adroitly as the great bard himself.

Happy memories. Thank you Christchurch. My thoughts are with you all.