Leaving Christchurch


There has been a long delay with my blogs because suddenly I could not publish them any more. I had apparently reached my limit of photos. So I have started up a new blog and hope it works.

The last weeks have been busy despite not having so many airbnbs. Lots of visitors and plenty of chance to enjoy autumn and its phenomenal colours. I am so happy I was able to experience these before I left
I continue to love my visits to Riccarton House Market, especially when they have such cute little visitors as these four-legged wonders!
 When Sam, my friend from Edinburgh, visited me, I did several trips. The first being another visit to the gorgeous gardens of The Giant's House in Akaroa. The garden cafe is truly the most beautiful place imagineable!
 After a great visit to Lyttleton Farmers' market, we wnet to Cass Bay just around the coast and enjoyed a swim and a paddle in quite pleasantly warm water.  It was fabulous, with the norwest clouds adding to the beauty of the area, and also causing sudden extreme wind gusts which left people doing a very realistic Mary Poppins imitation with their sun umbrellas!
 It was fabulous having David at home for a week before I left Christchurch. We did a number of local trips, enjoyed some good food and great chats, sometimes with Mark and Emma too, soo it was a lovely time for me. There was , of course, lots to do at home to prepare to leave, plus I really wanted to catch up with as many close friends as possible.  I had a super day with friends and family for my birthday and both Mark and David spoiled me, Mark with Crusaders' gear, and David with a delicious meal at Waipara Springs Winery. It was a fantastic platter and superb weather.
after a very sudden cold snap!
The last game of Super rugby I saw with Mark and David before I left was amazing. All was fine with no rain at all and quite pleasant temperatures and then suddenly the heavens opened and hail and sleet just poured down on the poor players. The noise on the roof was deafening!
I am pleased to say the Crusaders, our team, won convincingly in the end.
Then back to the heavenly autumnal clear skies and the quickly changing colours of the birches in my garden. It was a delight to look out of the windows.
Short flight to the north and then it was time to meet up with Dennis for our twelve-day visit to the north and the centre of the North Island.
Let's start our journey!

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