Weeks of services, thoughts, hugs and unbelievable support for the families and friends of victims and also Le Race to Akaroa

Cwtch! Welsh for ' hug ' and there were plenty of them. What an emotional fortnight it has been here in Christchurch. I think we are more united than ever here. I hope that feeling remains.

A break for the day to Akaroa, where Mark was heading on his 98 kilometre bike ride from Christchurch.

It was great to have the chance to enjoy this pretty village with Emma whilst waiting for Mark

At the finish line! Perfect weather for this gruelling race over the hills.


A well- earned rest indeed after four hours on a bike! Well done Mark. Emma and I were so pleased to see you. 

Then, next day it was back to contemplating the happenings of the previous week and Kerstin and I attended a low- key, but nevertheless moving service in Hagley Park. It was a sad but beautiful service with speeches from Head boys of high schools, Moslem leaders, friends and families. The crowd of several tens of thousands sat silently, people of all nationalities and religion joining together, supporting one another. 

There were no dignitaries on Sunday, but on Friday, 29 th March,  there was a National commemoration day, with services all over our country. Here in Christchurch was the largest, with extreme security around Hagley Park, where coaches blocked all the roads and police presence was high.

Heads of state from many Moslem countries, The PM of Australia, the Governor General of NZ, our Mayor and of course, the lady who has led us through, Jacinda Ardern, were there. What a leader Jacinda is. She has gained the respect of nearly all in NZ and many throughout the world for the way she has handled this tragedy, her empathy, her decision- making and her eloquent, genuine, heartfelt speeches. Today was no different. Three amazing ladies in leading roles, PM, GG and mayor, all made the most meaningful, marvelous speeches. A Moslem gentleman in a wheelchair spoke about peace and forgiveness, forgiving those who had killed his wife and injured him in the mosque attacks. We must live in peace and harmony, he said, just as the flowers in the garden, of all types and colours, live and flourish together in our gardens. He was an amazing speaker. What a service that was. So sad, yet beautiful. A perfect day, despite the tragic circumstances, with gorgeous singing from our very own Marlon Williams, fantastic songs by Cat Stevens , including Peace Train,

and alsothe  marvelous voices of two young people, Hollie and Teek, finishing with the most amazing rendering of the National Anthem, sung to no orchestral accompaniment. The tears flowed, but not one person left there with negative thoughts. We all felt truly enriched.

We flocked in our tens of thousands back through the park. I have never ever seen crowds like it here in NZ. The bridge to the Botanical Gardens was blocked as people streamed out of the service, some taking a short cut through The River Avon.

I am so pleased I did not miss this morning's service. Such tragic events have certainly led to a Christchurch, more united than before. What a fabulous city and country we live in despite the events of the last decade. 

My day was like a rollercoaster of emotions - tears and sorrow in the morning and then in the evening I had booked some time ago to go to the fantastic musical We Will Rock You with its Queen music. I was not sure how I would feel, but once inside the theatre listening to such incredible singers, we were swept into the world of Queen and with front row seats, we felt we were at one of their concerts, especially as we all stood to sing We will rock you. It was a tremendous evening, absolutely exhilirating and emotional, but at the other end of the scale to the mornings' emotions! What a day.

Actually, the next day was also a brilliant musical day, with a visit to another very different concert with a big favourite of mine, Fiona Pears, playing the violin. She and others joined to put on a charity concert, this time to support the sheltered housing, to assist with heating costs in winter. Ten thousand dollars was raised for them, and a marvelous concert was enjoyed by all in the magnificent Transitional Cathedral, the Cardboard cathedral.

The acoustics were surprisingly good and the lighting and atmosphere great, but I don't think I have ever had such uncomfortable seating!j

The end of an unforgettable fortnight of mixed emotions, and, togetherness.