Anywho, I wouldn’t label Victoria Matthews as pro-gay or anti-gay. She definitely charts her own path on this matter. She ruled that gay blessings do not violate “core” (as in creedal) Christian doctrine, which they don’t as they are not found in any of the historic creeds, but then voted against moving forward on doing those blessings. She gave a moving speech at General Synod about the pastoral needs of gay couples but also said that the timing isn’t right for blessings.

Actually, the place is eye-watering beautiful.

Except Hamilton. The bus interchange at Hamilton has been known to drive entire families to drink. Small children included. The rest of the town is even more dismal, but fortunately not as often seen by vistors.

Don’t even ask me about Dannevirke. If ever a place was to provide evidence that people had started mating with vegetables, it would be a hamlet somewhere nearby.

Apart from that, the people are overwhelmingly good-natured too; albeit overly fond of sheepskin clothing and beanies. You’d enjoy yourself there, I’m sure (’cause of the nice people, not the sheepskin clothing, I mean).

I suppose I should add, in case a sister or the other half of grantdale reads this, that Kiwis are also overwhelmingly as beautiful as their country. And highly intelligent, witty, etc.