After a successful but tiring couple of hours shopping for birthdays I felt in need of sustenance before the 30 minute walk home. It was our usual cheese and crackers (and sometimes a cocktail) hour and the cafes were closing, so I stepped into a bar I pass on my way.

I like this old building and I’m so pleased that Te Pae is built around it and that it wasn’t demolished in the post-earthquake ‘knock ’em over’ frenzy.

I sat on a tall stool looking out at Victoria Square and enjoyed a refreshing Charlie Chaplin.