Sunday, December 3, 2006: Our first full day in Christchurch, so we toured the Waipara Valley wine country with Eric Vanryckeghem, and we ended the day with a lovely dinner at Tiffany's Restaurant on Oxford Terrace with the Campbells, Ian and Marg.

First stop was Waipara Springs Winery, where the owners couldn't have been nicer. Then we visited the Athena Groves olive farm, where the most fabulous olive oil is made. This is very rural country, but they still have lots of tourist attractions, including the old steam locomotive train (we didn't ride it).

Proceeding along the Waipara Valley wine country, we did another tasting at Torlesse Winery (forgot to take a photo), where the owner Maggie Rayner was delightful, serving us cheese and crackers and telling us all about the area and its history.

Our last winery stop was Pegasus Bay, which has a renowned restaurant that was fully booked. So Eric and I tasted at the bar instead, saving a ton of money (it was an expensive restaurant).

On the return from Waipara, we toured the ocean coast (sorry, no photos), driving back in to Christchurch looking at the many unpretentious small houses along the ocean...

Dec 4 -- While Ted and Eric worked at RCS, Nancy took a walking tour of Christchurch, visited the Art Centre, dropped in and studies the 2 bead stores in the city, and picked us up at the office.

Dec 5 -- Nancy had a big day driving, first to the Rakaia Gorge for jetboating, then to Akaroa. The high point of the day was supper at Campbells -- thank you, Marg and Ian.

Dec 6 -- Nancy took the train to Arthur's Pass, spent 5 hours there hiking, and returned by train (where I picked her up at 6:05 at the railway station).

We had dinner in the Crowne Plaza, where there was no charge for bread (!)

Dec 7 -- our last night in Christchurch -- had supper with Marg and Ian at "Annie's Wine Bar" in the Art Centre. It was a fitting conclusion to a friendly week in CHC. Thanks to the Campbells for their hospitality.

Dinner with Campbells

 

Dec 4, 2006 Nancy at RCS

Dec 5, 2006 Nancy Touring