So What Has Christchurch Got to Offer?

Many people say that The Garden City has an English feel to it. The only similarities with England that we have found are punting on the River Avon (of course idiots in straw hats can be found pushing flat bottomed boats, with sticks, all over England!), a cathedral (Only ever found in England!), and plenty of municipal planting displays. However, it does seem that every other person we meet is English, even though a few endangered Kiwis can be found!

Lyttelton Water, just over the Port Hills from Christchurch

Location

One of the main reasons why we chose to live in Christchurch is its location. It has sandy beaches, a windy lagoon (superb for wind and kite surfing), nestles up against its own set of hills (the Port Hills) and is even close to the mountains (Southern Alps). It means that we can do loads of activities with the minimum of travel and fuss. However, Chantal likes it because the city is flat. Can anybody think of another place like that?

Paragliding in the Port Hills overlooking Taylor's Mistake

The most popular beaches are Sumner and New Brighton. Both are only a 15-20 minute drive from the city centre and have plenty of space for sunbathing and surfing. Pete intends to do a lot of surfing in the summer, whilst Chantal will become very experienced in towel minding!

The flipside of Christchurch is that in the winter, 'fair weather surfing Pete' can take his snowboard for a 90 minute drive to the ski slopes. There are at least 5 or 6 snow fields within close proximity so spur of the moment decisions can be made.

One of our old shots (circa 2004) of Mt Hutt

The City

The actual city is quite attractive (Notice I did not say stunning?) even though the central shopping area needs invigorating. When one starts looking up it can be seen that the city was built on money, as many of the buildings are solid, decorative and impressive. Very much like Milton Keynes! Not. The cathedral is impressive and dominates the central square. There are plenty of green leafy parks and squares and we are lucky enough to live just a 5 minute walk from Hagley Park. This 'Pride of Christchurch' is approximately the size of Southampton Common but is more sports orientated and therefore open. It is home to rugby, cricket, football and hockey pitches; an 18 golf course; tennis and netball courts; lakes and ducks; and of course open spaces to laze around in the sun. It is also a popular place for joggers, cyclists and walkers. Pete has been running there 2 or 3 times a week!

Hagley Park Lake

Nightlife

Christchurch has a buzzing nightlife, especially after the Crusaders win at home. There are the usual trendy bars and clubs but also a number of homely pubs and cafe bars so there is something for everyone. The 'Bard on Avon' is a favourite haunt of expats and kiwis alike. A lovely English style pub that we've had many a good night in, and it even serves Speckled Hen. A warm log fire in winter keeps us 'locked' in! The 'Twisted Hop' is a lovely micro brewery, brewing beers according to 'olde Englyshe traditions'. Pete has a favourite pint there!! A very lively spot, at weekends, is an area called 'The Strip', which has about 7 or 8 cafes/bars in a row that turn into clubs in the evening. To finish a night off a stop at a particularly 'dangerous' venue is the 'Jolly Poacher', which is open 24 hours. This place has a nasty habit of 'time shifting'. I swear you can go in that place and come out a couple of drinks later in broad daylight!

The Port Hills

According to guide books, the Port Hills is Christchurch's weekend outdoor playground. This does not mean there is a see-saw, climbing frame and slide but it's a place where city bound kiwis can take on the great outdoors. Basically, sane people attach their bikes to their cars, drive up into the hills and go mountain biking or walking. However, mad people (and New Zealand has many of those) prefer to cycle or run up, in preparation for their next Ironman competition. Some people (no names given but this person sometimes munches on tulips) prefer to be driven to the Sign of the Kiwi, buy an ice cream and sit in the sun looking down on the city!

The Sign of Kiwi is at the summit of the Port Hills and is a great lookout spot (or make out spot if I was 18).

It is great having the hills on our doorstep but we are already taking it for granted; just like we did with the New Forest. A shame really.

One downside of the hills is that the smog of the city can be clearly seen hanging over it on still, cold winter days. It makes one realise that New Zealand's clean, environmentally friendly image is not all it is cracked up to be!

View from Sign of the Kiwi of the city with the Southern Alps in the distance