How ya doin?

We have arrived in Christchurch, NZ.  Not so warm here but still a pleasant 20 degrees. 

We are staying in a hotel called Chateau on the Park and walk across Hagley Park daily to get to the town centre, crossing over the River Avon where you can go punting, if one so desires.

We have travelled around the town on the electric tram service, dating from the 1800s and walked through the beautiful botanical gardens filled with colourful flowerbeds and big old trees.

We have tasted some wonderful food, good beers and plenty of wines.  The Twisted Hop can be recommended both for their own brewed beers, ciders and the food.

Today we drove around Akaroa (small township of French origin) and the surrounding bays, approximately 80 kms from Christchurch.  We followed the Summit Road on the way there and experienced some interesting steep gravel roads on the way home! Both routes provided us with one breathtaking view after another.

Now were are just about to go into Hagley Park, where nearly 150,000 New Zealanders are gathering for a free open air concert  and firework display called "Classical Sparks" hosted by Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, to mark the ending of summer!!  Doesn't time fly when you are having fun?