Our endless kiwi summer was still in full swing come the start of Autumn. Although it was a little cooler in the morning and got darker quicker, we were still having gorgeous hot days of up to 28 degree temperatures.
Friday 1st of March was a leaving party for Steffi, the German traveller I met at church. We all headed down to the Botanical Gardens in the centre and had a little picnic. It was so lovely. I’ve not spent enough time in that place, or Hagley Park (and I’ve said that a lot I know)
Picnic in the park
Red velvet cake: my contribution to the picnic
On Sunday 3rd I went to Adrenalin Forest which I wrote about earlier in the month, which was fantastic.
On Monday, I had drinks and said goodbye to Steffi, which was quite sad, as she has been around in Christchurch for as long as I have. She was also talking about her plans to stop off in Tokyo, which made the travel bug in me come out a little more.
On March 6th I played host to another UK traveller – Inga, her friend, sister and brother-in-law. I first met Inga, who lived with my sister in one of her many flats in London about 4 years ago. Inga loves travelling as much as I (and many others) do. She travels abroad twice per year and I love hearing her travel stories.
Inga was supposed to arrived at 6pm and we were going to go on a little tour around the city and then out for dinner, but they got lost on the way from my airport, as well as getting a bit mixed up with driving on the other side of the road (New Zealand roads are the same as the UK, but Inga is from Europe).
We went to the main place I take everyone here – Burgers and Beers (there will be a post about this at some point!)
Burgers and Beers
After our meal out, I gave Inga and her friends/family a quick run down on things not to miss in New Zealand (this will also be another blog post at some point!)
One week later, they were back and full of stories. They managed to get to many of the places I had recommended, and I was pretty impressed due to her short time span.
My makeshift bed in the lounge (I gave up my room for my traveller guests). I have loved having people and being host and giving advice to travellers.
March 16th was the first match of the Super Rugby League in Christchurch’s new AMI Stadium in Addington. Last year I had a season ticket, which was amazing to do, but this year I wanted to save a little bit of money.
I bought tickets for me and my flatmate and we headed over. I love how our stadium is only little.
Our previous Stadium was based in Waltham/Phillipstown, a short stroll from the city, but it was badly damaged in the earthquake.
The old AMI stadium
The stadium after the earthquake
The new AMI stadium seats less, but has a really cool atmosphere, as everyone is packed in and there is a real supportive feel. One of my flatmates works for a steel engineering company, who were a key partner in building the stadium. It was built in 99 days. Impressed.
The game was amazing, but we had to move mid way through, as the tickets we had bought were seated in the music stand, which was new for 2013, and included a DJ which broadcast dance music just to our stand. It was very off putting.
We won in the end against the South African Bulls. I love rugby in New Zealand. It feels like the whole country gets into it.
The opening of the first match of the season.
Toward the end of March, I again went on another wander around the central city. It was hoped that New Regent Street would have been open, but the date was pushed back as the shops weren’t quite ready yet. We dropped into Christchurch’s newest Museum experience: Quake City I am not sure how many Cantabraians will feel about this, but it is interesting for travellers.
March 17th: St Patricks Day
Being Irish (although I have been told numerous times that I sound Scottish!), I should be out in full swing celebrating St Patricks Day. However, it does appear to be very much drink orientated, which I have moved away from since moving away from home. I don’t mind a few drinks, but some of the people we saw around town were probably drinking from Saturday (16th) night and well into the next day.
I did end up going to a local pub to have a few drinks. I looked the least Irish in the place, but was given a green Shamrock Necklace. The pub we were in was called the Rose and Thistle (also shortened to the RAT). It is a very typical English pub, with carpeted flooring, and the smell of spilt beer everywhere. It also had a small TAB (betting area).
During our visit to the pub, we looked out the window and casually saw a house drive past. Only in Christchurch. This house had been uprooted from its piles and was on the back of a very large truck, being transported somewhere else (seemingly North from where we were located). Quite an odd experience to see.
Only in Christchurch (or perhaps not, but I have yet to see it elsewhere) a house being moved on the back of a large truck
The end of March brought on another run, which again I wasn’t really that prepared for. I competed in the 14km City to Surf, which used to start in Cathedral Square, and end at New Brighton beach. This year and last it started at Pioneer Stadium in Barrington (south of the city) and went to Ferrymead.
Early morning at Pioneer Stadium
It was such a hot day, and a lovely run most of the way (along by the river), but I felt really unprepared for it. I completed it in 1 hour 47 minutes, which is pretty poor.
Sprint to the finish line
I am still aiming to do the Half Marathon at the start of June! The only gutting thing about this run, or the day as that I ended up leaving my card wallet on the bus, which contained my gym card and my bus travel card, as well as a buy one get one free voucher for the rugby which I had stashed in there. I ended up having to pay $10 for each new card. Gutting .. and it is not the first time I have lost a travel card
On a bit of a side note, I still have yet to decide what I am doing with my life (sounds dramatic),
but what I mean by that is whether I will settle here for good, or take off and work and travel somewhere else. Time will tell perhaps, and I think after I get back from visiting the UK again, I may know. Watch this space. 116 days until I leave for South Korea!
So that was March. Winter will soon be upon us, but I am still excited about this – gaining new skills on a snowboard (hopefully) and preparing to travel again, as well as doing awesome things in Christchurch.
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