The Banks Peninsula Track bus picks us all up from outside the Old Post Office, packs are loaded up and we are given an introduction to the tramp before heading off to our first night. On the way we introduce ourselves to the other trampers, and read the booklet about how we are going to spend the next few days. All of us are kiwis, a family of four, a woman and her very fit … [Read more...]
Otanerito Bay and Hinewai – it is our last night on the Banks Peninsula Track
We have arrived for our last night on the Banks Peninsula Track- tonight we are in Otanerito Bay. The walkers have done another relatively short (6km) coastal walk. The latte ladies have been back to Akaroa for, of course, a latte. We have to line up with the hundreds of milling visitors of one of the many cruise ships that visit Akaroa at this time of year. These days … [Read more...]
Stony Bay Opatuti – our third night on the Banks Peninsula Track
The walkers have a shorter trip today - 8kms up and down along the coast, past Seal Cove - though every cove has seals on this coast. Arriving at Stony Bay is like we have stepped into a kind of hobbiton - funky small buildings placed in beautiful gardens. There is a pool table with paint pots to catch the balls, two fire baths to relax after the day, a fire pit to gather … [Read more...]
Flea Bay – Pohatu – The Second Night
A 4-6 hour walk from 200m to 699m and back down to sea level is the first day of walking on the Banks Peninsula Track. It is a misty day - so not too hot for walking, but the views are not so expansive over Akaroa harbour, though the cloud lifts enough to see out to the Akaroa Harbour entrance. A lunch shelter at the top of the ridge provides shelter and a gathering point … [Read more...]
Hopping a Ferry from Lyttleton to Diamond Harbour
Hard frost, blue skies, Lyttelton market and a ferry crossing to Diamond Harbour, followed by good coffee and a walk around cliff edges watching birds and boats (and yes fresh fish off the boat as it came in). That was Cynthia’s take on the day on Facebook, and it’s a great summary of yesterdays Christchurch excersion. We had decided on a trip to Diamond Harbour as it is … [Read more...]
New Brighton Beach Ride
It’s a crisp blue sky winters day, and we decide to explore New Brighton, one of Christchurch's beaches. by bike. We start near the South Shore Spit Reserve and as we walk out discover it is dead low tide, so perfect for riding on the beach. The sand was a little softer nearer the estuary, but we got close enough to see the narrow gap of water separating us from Sumner … [Read more...]
What Happened to Frauenreisehaus
Frauenreisehaus was a popular women's hostel in Christchurch. It had 72 beds and welcomed women from around the world to stay in it's central Christchurch complex of five buildings. A google search can still find it, but sadly it is no more. Just one of the casualties of the Christchurch earthquakes. Recently I was in Christchurch, and went in search of owner Sandra … [Read more...]
Akaroa Harbour – Black Cats and Wineries
Although Christchurch itself is on the river and inland it is very close to two fabulous harbours - Lyttleton and Akaroa. They are definately on the list for a day trip (or more) each. Last weekend we headed to Akaroa to go out on The Black Cat Cruise of Akaroa Harbour, and then on to French Farm Winery for lunch. The excuse was a birthday celebration, so we actually hired … [Read more...]
Christchurch Post Quake
Christchurch has seemingly forever been the gateway to the South island of New Zealand. An international airport, a vibrant garden city with an innercity that was both historic and full of interesting activity, a university city (two actually) and a centre for overseas students. On the 4 September 2010 a powerful earthquake rocked the city, followed by another massive jolt on … [Read more...]
Christchurch, to go or not to go, that is the question
I went to school in Christchurch, raised my children there, and taught at an inner city school. I had not been back since the earthquakes, but the time had come. From the plane window I searched the landscape for broken bits of land, but could see nothing. On the drive from the airport I saw the occasional empty chimney space, the odd fenced off house, a few strips of … [Read more...]