Ripapa Island, Lyttelton Harbour

Ripapa Island in Lyttelton Harobour, is full of history. The early Maori history includes a cannibalistic feud, which didn't end well for some! It has been used as a prison, a quarantine station, and then, as Fort Jervois, it became one of four defences set up in World War I to protect Lyttelton Harbour.It was again garrisoned during World War II. It housed a 'famous' prisoner during WWI, a Felix von Luckner. It is currently under the care of the Department of Conservation, but has been closed since the 2010-2011 earthquakes, due to earthquake damage. It is hoped that it will be reopened after quake repairs are done. It's all rather derelict now, run down, and forlorn.

There are some rare and rather old guns there - it's a very fascinating place. It's all locked up and entry is forbidden, and of course no-one would think of climbing the walls and creeping in. Not much!

Talking about quakes, we had a 4.2 quake very near Christchurch last night. It seemed to go on and on and on! Only a relatively little one though and it didn't make any difference to my night's sleep. 

Two friends and I paddled from Charteris Bay to Steep Bay and return today, via Ripapa Island. It was gorgeous weather, and mirror calm the whole day, and while that's great for scenery, it doesn't make for easy paddling. I'm kinda achey tonight and am heading for the bath right now. You might even hear the splash .........!