Living in Lyttelton – Was Fantastic
I'm going to miss this town.
We’re Leaving This Week (Hopefully)
Molly has all her vet checks tomorrow. If she passes, I hand her over to the pet transport people, she flies Wednesday and I fly on Thursday. If not, it’s Plan B. Whatever that is.
I‘m trying to keep it together, but I break apart at the strangest times. Like getting my last haircut in the British Hotel. I was fine until I was talking about Molly and "Rocketman" began playing in the background. We had to change the subject to something else. Probably the weather. I don't like goodbyes. Who does?
Instead, I will focus on what I have loved about Lyttelton. Most of it is in the book, but these are some of the things I will really miss (apart from the people. Obviously the people.):
Things I'll Miss About Lyttelton:
1. The community that punches above its weight in terms of creativity, bars, coffee, and ways in which people truly look out for each other.
2. The fact that you can walk to just about everything you need.
3. And if you keep walking, you can get anywhere else – great views from the crater rim, harbour or pool swims, even the surf (though a bike or car is better for that).
4. The number eight bus: the easiest way to get to Christchurch city, a source of great conversations, and now connecting the port to the airport.
5. Quail Island, which feels like far more of a getaway than it is.
6. The Lyttelton farmers' market, which was the social high point of the week for me. It's not the quickest way to shop, because you end up talking to so many people. Which is why it's better than the supermarket.
7. But if you go into the supermarket, you'll probably have a conversation there as well. Everything from how to make sure you get the best deals on Whittaker's chocolate to bringing up a puppy.
8. Watching the bustling port and looking across at the timeball, wishing I would remember to watch the ball drop more often.
9. My studio and garden.
I hope to report from the UK next week.
Thank you for being one of the good humans.
Alex
P.S. Molly will miss:
1. Barking at the two dogs on Canterbury Street on the way to Spooky Boogie.
2. Having a bone at The Commoners.
3. Ball games and swimming at Magazine Bay.
4. Running around the tennis court on market day.
5. Getting bolshy with just about every dog in the town. Which is a lot of dogs. Because this is the best place in New Zealand to have a dog.
6. My ex-boyf and now friend, Duncan. They will see each other again, but it’s tough to have to separate them.
You can read more about Lyttelton life by picking up a copy of "A New Zealand Diary: Living in Lyttelton".
The ebook is now at Amazon and all other ebook retailers.
The print book is available where all good books are sold and in Christchurch Libraries (If you want your library to get a copy, ask them!).
Leslie’s Bookshop in Lyttelton still has a few in stock.
And if you like the book, please let people know on Goodreads or wherever you bought it. That is an enormous help to independent authors like me.
Book details, a sample chapter and more information are at alexhallatt.com/nzd
Oh no! It was nice getting to live a little in Lyttelton through your posts.
Since Christchurch exists in two places at the same time - New Zealand and Dorset - visiting Lyttelton should be easy, right? Wishing you and Molly safe travels.