The Christchurch Sojourn

Akaroa, Canterbury, New Zealand
Sunday, November 24, 2013

Sunday 24 November

Another travelling day, this time to Akaroa on the Banks Peninsula, named by Captain Cook for Sir Joseph Banks, the ship's botanist. We awoke to a sea fret which was a surprise, but it soon burnt off and the journey took us down the coast once more, before diverting inland towards the Waipara Valley and Christchurch. The scenery became increasingly majestic and pastoral. A great interest to Reg of course. At one time there were 7 million head of sheep in New Zealand, a lot of them in this area. Those days have long since gone, but there are still a fair few. A coffee was needed and we found a great cafe cum winery cellar door at the Waipara Springs Winery. It was sunny and warm and we sat in the charming garden sipping our coffees before adjourning to the cellar to sample some wines. A delightful Riesling and surprisingly for me, who is not a fan, a really drinkable Chardonnay. I was severely tempted to buy a bottle, so serious stuff!
The garden city of Christchurch is said to be very English and I can see what is meant by that. We drove through the CBD stopping en route for a bite to eat. There is a heartbreaking amount of severe damage visible and small earthquakes are still coming at regular intervals. Reconstruction is now underway and the finished city will be marvellous I'm sure, but there are a vast number of houses yet to be strengthened and rebuilt. It was not a huge earthquake by Richter scale standards, but the epicentre was close by in Lyttelton Bay, which caused the problems, together with severe liquefaction. When we arrived in Akaroa the receptionist of our motel greeted us with the news that there had been two small quakes on the peninsula in the last week!
This is again a very beautiful spot and the small town that hugs the large harbour just charming. It has considerable French influence, due to the fact that it was settled by French Colonists in 1840. The harbour is teeming with wildlife of one sort and another and we have booked a nature cruise for tomorrow.
The cricket has become something of a nightmare and PL is moaning like a lunatic. Phrases such as 'no backbone' & 'I'm not surprised!' have been bandied about. Help!!
There have been two saving graces: firstly, rain stopped play late on today and I hope it pours all day tomorrow to let me and England off the hook and secondly, he has found Arsenal v Southampton on TV tonight and Arsenal won. Phew!!Read more