We said goodbye to our friend from Australia at 3.30am this morning at Christchurch Airport and, after a little more sleep, drove to the Banks Peninsula to a place called Little River.

We are staying in a converted Silo for the next few days. A curious, wonderous space from which to explore the local bays, walking tracks and bike trails.

Already we have heard new song from the feathered inhabitants of the bush in which the silo graciously sits. Just lovely.