Baker's dozen

13 ducklings, very small swimming with the mother duck in the sunshine, great to see them out and about on a lovely day - lots of people having their spirits lifted by walking in our local Botanic Gardens after a pretty traumatic week if you're at all involved in the education sector in Christchurch.

The background:

There was a big protest meeting in Hagley Park to try to save at least some of the schools, though I feel it's a lost cause, and after the meeting lots of the families were picnicking or walking through the Gardens.

Being told with no warning that 13 schools are to close, and 18 to merge, the earthquake blamed, but it's obvious there's another agenda here. They've been wanting to close some of these schools for a long time, and at last they've found a reason!

Yes obviously some have to be changed, the children have gone or are going as 7000+ houses are demolished, but some of the schools are in areas where there is little damage. If there is a way to mishandle something this government will find it! Enough!