I can see Jim’s hobby before I see him. The Brighton beach is dotted with kites of various shapes and colors all year around when the wind is good. Jim flies his kites for four to six hours a day often a dozen at a time. He took to his hobby only six years ago, when he felt inspired looking at the New Brighton Kite Festival. In his retirement years he became Christchurch’s master kite flyer, collecting the most beautiful and best quality kites from all around the world and even testing and reviewing kites for a company. When I ask him about his kites today, he is ready with information. “I’m actually into sea creatures, this one for example is supposed to be a cuttlefish.” These kites are very large with a wingspan of 2.4 meter.