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Christ(church) Almighty!
After a long weekend in Tahiti it was good to move on to my favourite city in the world - Christchurch, New Zealand.
This is Kath's first but my third trip and it never disappoints. In fact, I always reckon that when I win the lottery the first thing I'd do is move here to Canterbury.
It's such a gentle place where people are always genuinely interested in your visit. and never backwards in offering advice in how to get the most out of your stay.
Furthermore (especially after America and Tahiti) when you dine out here, you never wince when the bill arrives. After nearly two weeks it's also nice to tuck into familiar food. They say that Christchurch is more English than most cities in the UK and it's true. This is the turning point of the trip and we head homewards (via Australia) from here.
After checking in on Wednesday night (we lost a day crossing the dateline) we headed out to get our bearings and a bite to eat. We found a nice bar restaurant just off Cathedral Square. The waitress Julia, who was probably in her early 20s, really went out of her way to make us feel welcome. After so many days of being waited on by staff who are too quick to tell you: "We haven't include a gratuity in your check" it's a pleasant change just to have someone bring your food and pass the time of day without holding their hand out metaphorically.
Thursday morning it was up early and start the day with a full Kiwi breakfast. For Kiwi read English as New Zealanders unlike Americans and Tahitians know how to prepare proper bacon, black pudding and even have HP sauce on the table!
I've been looking forward to this part of the trip for months so was delighted to awake find clear blue skies. Although there is still an early spring nip in the air, the South island's capital is glorious when bathed in sunshine.
While Kath visited the hairdresser, I stayed behind at the hotel for a site visit as part of our deal for staying here. We met up at 11 outside Ballantyne's, Christchurch's biggest department store. From there we to the tram for a circular tour of the city. A lap will take around half an hour and puts everywhere into perspective.
As I said this is the most English of cities and the River Avon runs through it and into Hagley Park a huge greenbelt on the edge of town described as 'Christchurch's lung'. Either side of the river are Oxford and Cambridge Terrace. Along the Oxford bank is an area known as 'The Strip' along which is dotted a row of cafes, bars and restaurants. Kath and I stopped for the best berry smoothie I've ever tasted and a freshly baked blueberry muffin - still warm from the oven. The smoothie went down so well I had to have a second. Even then the total bill was hardly more than a tenner!
We took a boat down the river, Our punter, originally from Chile, even serenaded Andreas Bocelli-style as we glided along the Avon.
At this point was the only disappointment of the day. The camera packed up. A flat battery which meant we didn't take as many shots as we would have liked of Christchurch.
But that gives us a good excuse to pay another visit - sooner rather than later I hope!
Tomorrow sees us pick up a hire car and head south to turquoise blue lake at Tekapo.
Camera battery full charged of course!
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