Hats off to Joe Dixon

Captain James Cook in
Victoria Square

Earlier I proposed that Guilver, of Guilver's travels, discovered New Zealand.  Turns out that the Dutch found it before Guilver even.  But their interaction with the natives (Maori) didn't go so well.  Then again, Guilver was tired and attacked as well, but faired a little better.  A hundred years later, Captain James Cook showed up and did an incredible job mapping the area, which we'll venture out and start exploring tomorrow.

Today however, I obeyed the Doctor's orders.  She said to rest, so we did.  Went to church, and then caught a bus downtown.  6 hours later we returned home.  But I promise, we only rested during those six hours!  No running (except to catch the bus at both ends).  No exhausting work (except to ).  No hard thinking... well, I did break that one.

Really though, the focus of the afternoon was on the walking tour of Chirstchurch.  Including Ethan and Virginia, the guide, there were 5 of us, nice and personal.  It was supposed to be 2 hours, but as per the doctor's orders, we took it easy.  Stretched it to 3 hours.  Of course, I also asked as many questions as possible, which might have impacted the duration a little.  Learned quite a bit, and had a great time.  Virginia also said she had a jolly time, which is somewhat relieving ;)  Ethan slept the whole time, he'll have to do the trip again sometime.

The Cressy landing at Lyttelton, illustrating the "First Four"

My hat goes of to Joseph Dixon though.  At 33, he convinced his wife Mary, to take move to Canterbury (Christchurch) and was on the first of the "first four" ships to arrive (25 total came).  I though traveling with a 6 month old was questionable.  The guy left England to start a settlement with Ann (9 years old), Mary (8), James (6), Elizabeth (4), Jane (2), and Joseph Jr, an infant.  Yes, that's right, 6 young children.  Well done, well done indeed.

(Image details: Archives New Zealand)