Hello from Christchurch!
We have had a fabulous week away, tripping around the South Island. We arrive back on Wednesday, and can’t wait to see our family again – our cattle, horses and our beautiful kitties!
Day One – Tuesday: We flew out last Tuesday to Christchurch, and had most of the afternoon to explore Christchurch. What we noticed almost immediately was how neat and tidy most of the houses looked. We suspect that after the earthquake a lot of these houses needed to be fixed and repainted.
We stayed in a beautiful 1900’s B&B – “Lilac Rose”. We are not used to staying in B&Bs, but the hosts were wonderful. We love old architecture and this “cottage” was right up there!
We did not have a plan of what we wanted to do, but somehow ended up on by the Bridge of Remembrance, beside the Avon River. This ornate bridge was also almost totally destroyed by the 2017 earthquake, but the council rebuilt it, and the area around it. There is the an incredibly market – Riverside Market – and we spend most of the afternoon wandering through this very special place, and had dinner in one of the many, many restaurants close by.
Day two – Wednesday: We drove from Christchurch inland to Fairlie. We feel we could not go to the South Island and not try one of the world famous Fairlie pies. We were not disappointed! They make the most special and unusual pies, and they are another level up from the more traditional pies that we used to make. I had a salmon and bacon pie – and it genuinely was the best pie I have ever eaten!
Keryn had a pork belly pie, and there was even a large piece of cracking decorating the top.
From Fairlie we then headed back to the coast and the lovely town of Oamaru.
Day Three Thursday: This was spent in Oamaru, which has the most special and beautiful “Victorian Precinct”. Oamaru is the home of “White Stone” which is quarried there. Oamaru was a significant shipping port in the Victorian days, and the stone was used to build the most beautiful Victorian buildings and their stone was (and still is) used extensively in the South Island.
Oamaru is also the capital of “Steam Punk”. Steam Punk is a sort of Victorian science fiction with futuristic fantasy brass-fitted inventions like airships, creating a world where modern technology is powered by steam. It is as weird as, but wonderful at the same time. There museum is also in the Victorian precinct.
Day Four – Friday: We headed to Dunedin and after booking into the hotel, we headed for Larnach Castle. This is one of the only New Zealand “castles”, and has been beautifully restored. Apart from the castle and Grounds, the views out to the Otago peninsula were spectacular. It was a nice clear day, which helped. It was a very special day.
Day Five – Saturday: In the keeping with viewing our historical past, we did a tour of Olverston House. This was a house built by one of the early settler families – the Theomins. Their website states they were “well travelled and cultured”.
One of the special features of the property is that it never left the family from the day it was built. It was ultimately donated to the Dunedin City Council, with ALL original contents preserved. The council are to be commended for ensuring the survival of one of New Zealand’s original homes, with all it’s original contents. There is probably nothing as genuinely preserved anywhere!
In the afternoon we thought we would be decadent, and had a wonderful “High Tea” at The Press Club – a wonderful bar and restaurant in Dunedin. It was one of the best High Teas we have ever had! Lol – we did not have dinner that night!
Day Six – Sunday This was mostly spent driving back to Christchurch (in the rain). We did stop at Temuka, where the original Temuka pottery was made (It is now made in Palmerston North). We had been here many years ago (and loved it). This time it was a little disappointing!
In Christchurch we booked into a very quirky hotel, where the tourist trams almost runs through the hotel. Across the road is an old church which has been converted into a pub, and we thought it would be rude to not have a drink there (and a wonderful pizza).
Also close to the hotel is New Regent Street. This is the most beautiful street of houses with shops down below. It blends Art Deco with a bit of Spanish. Again – a tribute to the people of Christchurch for their wonderful preservation of our architectural past.
We have two more days exploring Christchurch, and surrounds, and then home. It has been a special week away, but we are also looking forward to being back home on the farm.
Next week’s post will definitely be about the farm, and our animals.
We welcome any comments – email me : colinbr@gmail.com