Christchurch is a beautiful city of about 300,000 with large cathedrals and stone buildings. A large downtown park with botanic gardens, sports fields, and a golf course became our hub and parking spot. Kirby took a round on the golf course while Christina checked out the Art Gallery. Parking there was an adventure for a few reasons. First of all, the sky was falling. It was hazardous to walk or drive through the park with all of the falling nuts from the huge trees above. Secondly, it was free downtown parking and therefore a hot commodity on weekends, so getting boxed in by people "creating new spots" was always a possibility. Thirdly, it was chock full of runners, cyclists, tennis players, golfers, picnickers, birds who preyed off picnickers, families, and punks. From the gardens, we were
... read more