'twas the week before Christmas |
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Kaikoura
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Hanmer Springs Hanmer Springs is a great contrast to Kaikoura; set at the edge of a broad flat basin, surrounded by mountains, the thermal springs have been an attraction for New Zealanders for over a century. Hotsprings apart, this is probably the most exotic part of New Zealand that we have seen, exotic in the sense that very little of the vegetation is native. Some are deliberately planted, as this was one of the first areas set aside for forestry and you can wander through a century old forest of introduced conifers - pine, redwood, cypress, fir and larch - with a dash of broadleaves - alder, oak and birch. Many are garden escapees, for the forest understorey and openings are filled with broom, blackberry, and a virtual cottage garden of bugloss, tansy, foxgloves and myriad other exotic herbaceous species. |
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A fine, though cool. day followed the two days of stormy weather and we did a short walk up to Conical Hill, providing views over the broad Hanmer Basin, and down through the newer plantation forests and the century old Hanmer Forest. A soak in the hot springs, now a modern multi-pool thermal complex, seemed in order at the end of the walk, but, with school holidays well underway, the pools were full of holidaying kiwis, old and young. Even the malodorous sulphur pools were packed. We soaked in the warm sulphurous water for short time, but it all seemed too much like having a bath with a crowd of strangers. After a few lengths of the normal lap pool, we left. |
Akaroa On a beautiful deep harbour in the heart of the rugged volcanic landscape of Banks Peninsula, lies Akaroa, a small village full of charm and, at this time of the year, tourists. Established in 1843 by 57 French settlers, it trades shamelessly on its French origins, though the English soon swamped the locals. Nonetheless, the 19th century weatherboard charm of its architecture and the French street and shop names do give it a unique ambience. |
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Christmas in Christchurch Christmas is a time that should not really be spent alone. We were very fortunate in that, when at Kaikoura, we caught up with some old friends from our time in France, Guy and Genevieve and their two daughters, Lucy and Lorna. We had not seen Guy and Genevieve for 12 years and had not met the girls; it was great to catch up. They invited us to spend Christmas with them in their home near Christchurch; instead of being alone we spent an immensely enjoyable Christmas, with all the festivities and a delicious Christmas dinner of crumbed mussels, eggs mimosa, roasted turkey with orange and pumpkin gravy, followed by chocolate pavlova and strawberries. More than that, they made us feel part of the family - merci beaucoup Guy, Genevieve, Lucy and Lorna!
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