Christchurch

Written By Ruth Bell

A slightly turbulent approach to the city yesterday, holding the hand of a nervous flyer, Christine, parting as friends by the end of a 90 minute flight from north to South Island.

I was driven by Tony, a lone passenger in his shuttle, to Addington railway station where my cousin Boo was picking me up. This station must rank as one of the most comfortable anywhere in the globe - seats like sofas you could lay down and sleep upon, no people to disturb your slumber, not a soul in sight until a girl came through a door from ‘the back’ when I’d been there ten minutes. She looked profoundly shocked to see someone.

I was here in 2015, four years after the big earthquake when morale was low. Talking to Tony and also with Boo and her partner David, the mood is generally much more optimistic now. Their house was demolished about seven years ago and although the footprint is the same, they naturally made improvements to the design of the building and the house is beautiful with stunning views of both city and mountains.

With Laura, Andy, Sylvie and Finn. One of those times so precious it promises to stay close to your heart to be treasured.

I first met Laura when she was a 22 year old dynamo, already a force to be reckoned with energy and enthusiasm enough to carry all those close to her in her wake. I was lucky enough to work together with her and her future musician husband Andy in the early 2000’s while they were in Leeds and I was living in the Lake District. They moved to New Zealand with their two year old daughter Sylvie over ten years ago for Laura to take up the offer of work in creative arts at Hamilton university. She has made ground-breaking changes, particularly within the deaf community here, creating work for hearing impaired actors and raising awareness about deaf people. Six years ago, Finn exploded into their lives and both children are a joy.

Approaching sunset, the van was loaded with cushions, blankets (winter here..) and other goodies and off we trundled to Manou bay to watch from on high the surfers as they waited like so many seals for THE wave. Finn, almost bursting with excitement, entreated us to hurry up and follow him down to the rocks nearer the waves, and from there we were in prime position to judge the contestants and comment on their performance! A full moon shone on us all.

Making our way back to the top, Laura meanwhile had set out a feast for kings which we proceeded to demolish with relish. Afterwards there was some fairly dodgy secretive stuff going on, whisperings and rustlings, pre-runners to a pre-birthday (not until 21st) celebration as it turned out… cards, pictures by the in house artists (Sylvie and Finn) and pressies.

The night was still young enough for music, and we were joined by Joe, also a singer/songwriter for some fabulous sounds and hilarious moments!

New website being built! I’ve made the decision to return to What Ruth Said for both solo and band names.