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So we were still in Sydney! After about 4 hours sleep, we were back up to check out and book the airport shuttle at 4.45 am, urgh! Not much to report except we were bloody tired, grumpy and other than some overpriced breakfast had nothing to entertain us until our flight at 7.15am to Christchurch. On the plus side the flight only took about 3 hours and we did get to nap and get fed some free cereal, simple things! :o) Landed in Christchurch just before midday and got through passport control very speedily although once we retrieved our luggage we weren't quite so lucky.... I came out the toilets to find an overenthusiastic beagle sniffing Dan's bag and despite initial panic that we had drugs planted on us (unknowingly of course!) infact he had found bananas! Turns out that smuggling fruit into New Zealand is quite the punishable crime and we got lectured for qute some time before heading through customs and "bio security". You would have thought that now would be the time for me to check and double check my handbag but in my sleep deprived haze I walked through the scanners and my bag set off another alarm. All our stuff was hauled off for inspection but turns out the problem was in the corner of my handbag - a satsuma that we had been given on the plane that I had obviously thought I would enjoy at a later date! Ready to apologise profusely and perhaps exploit the female charms with a little eyelash batting so imagine the outrage when after a 10 minute argument I am hauled off by reinforcement to pay a 200 dollar on the spot fine (about 80 quid!). Apparently I could have imported fruit fly and despite protesting, was told that the damage had already been done...damage?! From a lone aeroplane satsuma?! Hmph. Was unsure about how much damage it could wreak but resigned myself to paying and got out my credit card. Another bloke was filing the fine on the computer system and had handed me something to read and sign while he quizzed me on my details. Asked me about the origin of said satsuma and when I told him it was part of the aeroplane breakfast he seemed surprised and because of the confusion over when we had received the breakfast and when we had signed the customs cards, a loophole appeared which I chose to exploit! Managed to walk away with an official warning and no criminal record/offence to contend with...all over a bloody orange! After all this kerfuffle, we managed to escape the airport and get a shuttle to New Excelsior hostel where we were staying for the night. Not too far and hostel was a nice surprise, really good location, friendly reception and nice facilities plus most importantly a very comfy double bed. Got some lunch from a cool cafe nearby - loads of retro games, comfy chairs and yummy food. Checked all the arrangements for the Spaceship pick up tomorrow at their office before coming back to the hostel around 5 and despite insisting we would just sort the laundry and go back out, we made the error of having a "quick nap"... which turned into an hour and a half sleep! Woke up, freshened up and headed to a bar just around the corner on Sol Square called Yellow Stone. We had 50% off pizza vouchers from the hostel and so got a medium hawaiian, large meat feast (of course) and several rounds of drinks for a bargain 55 dollars (about 20 quid or so). It was a really cosy place with a wicked atmosphere and friendly bar staff - we were both happy, Dan for the micro brewery beer and me for my first taste of authentic New Zealand Sauvignon! Walked down to Cathedral Square and found the main shopping area before walking back along the River Avon. Came back and booked some more accommodation, chilled watching TV and scoffed a couple of Crunchies (hokey pokey not honeycomb!) before a good nights sleep.
The following day (Sat 13th) we were up around 9 to shower and check out by 10. So difficult to get out of that super comfy bed! Put our bags in the storage room and went for a wander and food before picking up the Spaceship. Bought some more warm clothes - I didn't even have socks! - as well as some cheap DVD's for the player in the Spaceship. Also managed to get my haircut as an early birthday present - really nice salon complete with massaging Lazy Boy chairs and of course serious GHD action :o) In the meantime Dan had escaped bored and also come back with considerably less hair (although his cost a bargain 10 dollars in comparison to my 90!!) After lunch at Java cafe, another cool coffee place we headed up to the Spaceship office and had the orientation of the car and paid a hell of a lot of money before driving off AHHHHH!! Being used to driving a manual Ford Ka, an automatic van is quite different and worryingly I was learning to drive it on the roads surrounded by other vehicles lol but fortunately no mishaps! Picked up our bags from the hostel and then found Stonehurst, our accommodation for that evening. Really central location but we could park up at a non powered site and use the facilities there but sleep in the car for about 4 quid each, bargain! Checked everything out in the car properly - surprisingly compact with loads of features, cooker, fridge, water pump, storage and awnings for the back if you want to extend it. Walked back into town for a mooch around some of the shops and to the supermarket for a few supplies but so cold that we resorted to our new home, the Navigator for Anchorman! After the film finished we headed out to Winnie Bagoes, a nice bar and pizza place that was just up the road and had been recommended by a friend of Dan's Mum....a brilliant recommendation! Arrived about half 7 but not having made a reservation we were put on a waiting list for a table - the list looked ridiculously long but in actual fact we only waited the first half of the rugby (All Blacks v France) and a couple of drinks until we managed to get a massive booth in prime position, nice! Ordered our pizzas, both gourmet and suitably delicious and more drinks. In our slightly tipsy and ravenous state these were devoured pretty speedily and after the rugby had finished (and I had exploited the GHD's in the toilet!!) we headed back for a night in the Spaceship! Had a fairly early start on the driving.....
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