Leaving our mark (final post)

As we're getting ready to head home (for me tomorrow, Marshall in 2 weeks) we're reflecting on our time here.  Marshall is wrapping up some projects and passing others along to newcomers.  When asked what he'll miss, he said coffee from a plunger (see 1st post!)  I'm saying goodbye to friends and having lots of "lasts":  last dance class at my gym, last Saturday in NZ, last volunteer shift, last meat pie.  

Anniversary appetizer in Wellington

We celebrated our year anniversary a couple weekends ago in Wellington.  We went to dinner on Cuba Street and shared a bottle of wine from the wedding reception that someone left outside of our hotel door on our wedding night (was it you?)  Instead of cake, we ate year-old salted caramels that Marshall's mom made as wedding favors (thanks, Erica!) It's fun to think that half of our first year of marriage was spent together in New Zealand.

Stop in Arthur's Pass on the TranzAlpine train ride

My last weekend here we stayed in ChCh apart from a TranzAlpine train ride across the the country.  It was 4 hours each way and took us through the plains, the majestic alps, and over to the wet west coast.  Winter snow in the mountains made for beautiful scenery.  Check out how they clear the tracks: Snowplough train

 Once in Greymouth we had just enough time for lunch at the Monteith's brewery then hopped back on the train for the return journey.  The tracks took us right on top of a deep river gorge - stunning.  We had assigned seats, but could roam all about the train including the open-air viewing car.  And, man, the open air was pretty cold that day!  

Half Christmas at the Llama Lookout

 Our friends Rachael and Erik also hosted a "half Christmas" party with the TT gang at their house, the Llama Lookout.  It was a great party complete with a white elephant gift exchange.  Even the llamas got dressed up.    

It has been a fabulous 6 months; I can't believe it went by so quickly.  Yet, so much has changed in ChCh in that time.  Just a couple days ago the 'red zone' was re-opened and I got to walk freely through all the city streets. The Pallet Pavilion, a temporary outdoor events space by our house, got enough funding to stay open for another year.  Marshall and I contributed and I got to paint our name on a pallet (one of my volunteer duties with Gap Filler). I like to think we left our small mark on Christchurch.  It will certainly leave a life-long impression on us.  

Fancy name to tell us apart from the other Roberts who donated (thank you!)