February 21 to 23
Dunedin to Christchurch to Wellington
February 21
Dunedin to Christchurch
On the dot of 09.00, I set off to take Pete to the University for a meeting. We had been going for about ten minutes when his phone rang. It was Toni to say that I had left my soap bag behind. I abandoned Pete outside the University and retraced my steps.
The second attempt to leave Dunedin was more successful. Last time I drove the route I was going flat out, trying to leave the country before it locked down for Covid. This time, I could relax and drive sedately into a sunny but breezy morning.
I didn't stop until I reached Oamaru, almost a couple of hours later. Famed for its historic quarter and white stone industrial buildings, it also has a cast iron clad cafe, overlooking the harbour.
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I had a coffee and a savoury scone, enjoying the view as I consumed them. The coffee, it should be said, was up to the standard that I expect in New Zealand. The scone tasted slightly odd.
I stopped another kilometre up the road at the Whitestone Cheese Factory, to buy some cheese to take to Christchurch as presents.
The further North I drove, the hotter it became. The road is straight, flat and far from exciting. I stopped off in Timaru for a cold drink and a sandwich and then in Ashburton for a long black and a bun. The lady assured me that they used very little sugar while making it. I suppose I believed her.
I reached Christchurch and John & Anne's house without any great difficulty and settled in for a quiet and very warm evening.
February 22
Christchurch
A disturbed night. I felt a bit off, sneezed a few times and decided that I had Covid. When I awoke, I was still alive and decided that I was as healthy as an old man with a dodgy heart could be.
I had heard some wind overnight. By morning, that had gone away but there had been some gentle drizzle. I weighed myself and was delighted to find that I was marginally lighter than I had been a week before. Quite remarkable given the eating, drinking and lack of exercise.
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About 10.00, I set off into Christchurch on foot. After the earthquake, lots of small, temporary, cafes sprang up. A few of them remain but, on a day like today, outdoor coffee isn't too attractive a proposition.
Left: Pop up coffee |
I passed through Cathedral Square, photographing it as I went. At long last, they are rebuilding the Anglican Cathedral. I'm not sure about this. I think it should have remained as a memorial to the dead and a new one should have been built, designed by the best local architects available.
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Most old buildings in the city centre were bowled by the quake. The new library isn't to my taste but it is nice inside. New Regent Street is, ironically, a bit of the old that has survived. A new mall leads onto it, with the trams running through. I sat at a table outside one of the cafes and had a decent coffee. The weather was cool but not too unpleasant.
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On the opposite side of the river I spotted what looked like the dome of the old Roman Catholic Cathedral. It turned out not to be and I'm surprised I hadn't spotted it before. The Rotunda was built in 1929 and gifted to the citizens of the city.
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With the drizzle continuing, I entered the Art Gallery, an impressive new building which survived the quake. Sometimes I have found displays which I liked. This time there was nothing. It was warm in there, however, and I was beginning to feel rather chilled.
Right: Christchurch Art Gallery |
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The old museum was hammered by the quake. Much of it has been rebuilt but
now they have run out of money and they are mothballing a section until
they can afford to do more work.
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I finally settled on a cafe for lunch, a part of the same small chain as the one I went to in Beckenham, a fortnight before. Tea and a chicken filo seemed like a good idea. Another sit down in the warm was very beneficial.
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I set out on the walk home, which was still very damp. From the top of the Colombo Street over bridge I could see the Port Hills shrouded in mist. I hadn't gone much further when John came past in the car, picked me up and drove me home via a couple of shops. I spent the rest of the afternoon sleeping on the sofa and repacking my bags.
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In the evening, we drove a short distance across the city for dinner with Kevyn, Karen, Brianna and Moss, the Airedale. I hadn't seen them for several years, probably when they came to stay with me in Bourne End. We had a good and loud time before driving home in yet more rain.
February 23
Christchurch to Wellington
It was raining when I woke up, raining when John and I walked down the road for a coffee and raining when I drove us into town for a coffee and a sandwich at the cafe beneath Anne's office.
I said farewell to them and drove the rental car back to its home near the airport. The rental company ran me to the terminal where I had some more lunch in the Air New Zealand lounge and awaited boarding.
The incoming plane was late so we departed late by over half an hour. After that, however, all went smoothly, my bag arrived and a taxi took me to Jane & Robert's. The driver did ask if I was a cricket commentator as he thought he recognised my voice.
With Robert being away overnight teaching, Jane and I had a quiet evening at home.