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Published: April 2nd 2011
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Another cold morning, although the day shapes up up to be a fine sunny day, if a little windy
We have coffee/tea for breakfast as the fridge has been emptied in preparation for returning the motor van. I also have to drain all the waste water and empty the loo cartridge for the last time (one of the least favourite jobs!).
We pack our bags trying to remember all the bits and pieces that we have secreted about the van. We feel a little sad leaving our home for the last three weeks. Both of us have enjoyed our first camper vanning experience. It is certainly the best way to see New Zealand, and I think that we both would like to think that we would camper van again at some point in the future.
We drop of the van at the Kea depot in Christchurch.The process is pretty painless, and we are given a lift to our accommodation. We are staying at "Tangley on the Clyde" which is described as a "Boutique B & B". This was selected when our accommodation that had been booked was damaged by the earthquake. We are met by Ian and Janet, who
turn out to be the perfect hosts,
After tea and cake, we are shown to our room. We are unpacking when the building shakes - another aftershock!
Janet gives us the route for a walk that takes us through three of the local parks terminating at a local shopping mall where we can get something to eat. We are in the Fendalton district of the city, which is one of the most desirable areas of the city in which to live. As we walk along we notice the damage to the properties. Although this area has supposedly escaped the worst of the damage, a good majority have PVC sheeting on walls and roofs where damaged has occurred. In some cases plaster has been cracked or has fallen away. And in the worst cases there is tape around the building indicating that there is structural damage and the buliding cannot be occupied.
The last park that we walk through is Riccarton Park. Here there is Deans Cottage, which is a reconstruction of an early settlers home. There is also a bush walk. This is like a rain forest right in the middle of a municipal. There is an interlock
to keep out preditors (mice,rats, possums etc.). This allow the birdlife and vegetation to flourish- a remarkable place, here we meet some friendly Fantails.
We stop at a pub for a light lunch, then make our way back to the B&B. Janet has booked us a table at a local restaurant for dinner. We relax for a couple of hours. and are then invited by Ian for a pre-dinner drink. After a glass of wine we head off to the restaurant , which is just 5 mins up the road. (With the city centre essentially shut down, the restaurants in the suburbs are getting booked up, so it is essential to have a reservation),
We have areal good meal and return to the accommodation to finish off the bottle of wine in conversation with Ian and Janet.
Then off to a real bed that I do not have to assemble ( as in the campervan!) Must remember to put my watch back an hour!
Journey home starts tomorrow
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