New Zealand - Christchurch

As we're going to have limited time/internet access when we hit Queenstown, I'm doing a very brief one for Christchurch.

Day 1 - amazing drive again, just fantastic scenery everywhere in this country. Weather largely fine and dry. Park car near Pomeroy's (our hotel) and wander to town. Marvel at the old buildings, laugh at the size of the Cathedral, get entertained by a small child doing ridiculous photo poses in the botanic gardens, coo over little ducklings, gasp at the enormous eel in the River Avon and chuckle at the americans 'let's do that' punting decision. We had intended to go to Riccarton Park for a big Sunday fair they normally do. However, it was bank holiday weekend and there was a proper race meeting - it was very busy so we gave it a miss. We loved Christchurch in the sun. The Arts centre has a cracking weekend market with crafts, food and gifts. For the more juvenile I've taken pictures of Fritz's Weiners and Superb Buns! We finished the day at Pomeroys - a popular pub - which had 16 beers and friendly hosts. We had lovely roast dinners...civilisation!

Day 2 - another fabulous scenic drive to Akaroa on the Banks Peninsula. We had got up to glorious sunshine and blue sky. Therefore we booked onto a dolphin swim. Akaroa Harbour is a very pretty place with a slight French influence. The harbour is surrounded by steep mountains as its actually a crater of a volcano that was filled in by the sea, it makes for safe waters for the rare Hectors Dolphin (which is only found in New Zealand).

We checked in for our swim and donned rather fetching 'does my bum look big in this' wetsuits and boots and after a brief talk we were off, there were only 5 of us swimming on this trip so we were told we would have some good dolphin time! Within 5 minutes of leaving the wharf we spotted some Dolphins swimming towards us, they played around the boat and leaped out of the water (something this type of dolphin are not renowned for).

We pressed on to find a group to swim with and just as we neared the harbour entrance a large group came to play! we jumped in the water and formed a circle as instructed, Janine in the middle playing a little tune with some stones the skipper gave her seemend to work and the dolphins were soon coming to check us out! It was truely magical. Dolphins spinning around as you spin in the water is a pretty amazing experience. They played for about 20 minutes then got bored with the Take That tunes on the stones, so we hopped back in the boat to find some more...10 minutes later we found another group to play with, this time Steve (originally from Wales now living in Christchurch) enticed them with match of the day on the stones! It was just another brilliant day!!

We headed back to Christchurch just in time to arrive at the hotel with rain just starting. After warming up we headed out - it was lashing down. COnfident in the direction we set off to find the Twisted Hop - it was shut and a longer walk than we thought! So we ended up in the Tap Room - another Monteith's place and had a cracking dinner.

So that's it till Queenstown - unless we make a detour. We've found yet more places we'd love to live and great things to do. Of course as it's a driving day today we're delighted to see grey skies and rainfall!

We opted for luxury in our last few nights so went for the wotif 5-star mystery deal - Sofitel here we come!

Just imagine what it would have been like if we'd have written a long one...