When the weather ruins your plans

We spent most of this morning travelling around getting bits and bobs that we needed, mainly walking boots for me. I had planned on investing in a really good pair but decided with so many cheaper shops and eBay back home that I'd be better off waiting until we're back to do that. Instead I bought a cheap pair and am hoping they will last for the 3 months we need them for. It still didn't stop me from looking in about 6 shops before deciding on a pair though. My walking shoes I bought with me from home were from Mountain Warehouse and cost about £70 in the sale and Nick's were about £20 in Aldi and his are still hanging on in there so it proves that price doesn't always mean longevity. After eating our packed lunch we head to Christchurch's Gondola, a cable car that takes you up to the top of one of the hills overlooking the city. We were a little sceptical about whether it would be running or not because it was quite windy today and unfortunately that was the case. When we arrived they were not sending any more people up but trying to get everyone down before the wind got too strong. The view from the carpark was pretty lovely but we were disappointed we couldn't see it from the top. With this plan abandoned we decided to visit the town of New Brighton which wasn't too far away and we had high hopes seeing as it's apparently inspired by Brighton. It was a seaside town but very run down and tired looking. The pier had only just been built so at the end was just a building site instead of any amusements. The wind was incredibly strong by this point and you could see waves of sand being blown all over the carpark and streets. We parked right up on the beachfront alongside many other cars. Unlike these cars we actually ventured out from the shelter of the indoors and into the wind outside. Nick's hat came straight off which luckily I caught on the other side of the car. Instantly sand was everywhere on you including in your eyes but we persevered and power walked/were pushed along to the pier steps. Up on the pier it wasn't so bad, although it was still very windy at least there wasn't sand blowing in your face. All the birds were hunched down trying to anchor themselves to the floor, rails or steps. They barely moved even when you got very close to them probably because they didn't want to fly in the wind. When one did take off it simply hovered and despite it's best efforts barely moved an inch in distance unless it gave up flying into the wind and let it take it back inland. We couldn't stay out long in the weather and a very generous seagul left us a present on the car window. Back at the Airbnb we created a small beach in the base of the shower with how much sand came out of our hair. With sand free hair, our pjs on and hot chocolates in hand we settled down on the sofa to watch Britains got Talent on the TV off YouTube.Read more