Friday 8th May, 2009.
It was an early start to our trip, as we were up at 5am, to get ready for our 6am pre-booked taxi to take us to the airport. We were travelling light, well, at least by our standards - just a daypack, laptop bag, and one wheeled luggage bag, which I'm sure is mostly filled with Louise's makeup. At 6am our Silver Service Taxi arrived, and we were on our way.
After checking in, we were through customs without a hitch, a welcome relief from the constant searching during our trip to the United States last year. We ran in to Louise's niece, Paige (pictured above), and her mom, Mars, whilst we having breakfast, who were also on their way to New Zealand.
The Qantas Flight QF45 was uneventful, until we caught sight of the New Zealand Coast about three hours after leaving Sydney, and we put our watches forward two hours to New Zealand time.
Whilst collecting our baggage we saw one of those cute little Beagle's sniff out a couple of bananas hidden in a guys backpack. Surprisingly, it was right under a Quarantine Sign with a picture of a banana. The Beagle received a treat from it's handler for his good work.
Leaving the terminal we were greated by a blast of cold air, icy drops of rain, and plunged into the grey world of the long (grey) cloud.
"Coldest day of the year" our geriatric taxi driver said, who then proceeded to drive with the left hand blinker on for the remainder of the trip. We didn't have the heart to tell her.
We were soon driving through Christchurch's leafy green suburbs, past green tree filled parks, neat stone buildings, and it does remind us very much of England, although England was never this cold when we were there. We past a sign displaying the temperature - 4 degrees Celsius.
The Quest Hotel (pictured above) is just off Cathedral Square, where the tall spire of the famous Christchurch Cathedral marks the centre of the city. The receptionist used the quaint word "Wee" several times in the space of two minutes - “Wee key" and "it's a wee way" and it’s a “wee switch”. Later this continued at the Rugby, with “wee shorts”, and its a “wee cold”. If you haven’t worked it out yet, Wee, I think, means small. It’s all a “wee” bit annoying.
Later, we braved the cold, and went for a walk. This is Louise in front of Christchurch Cathedral, and you might notice she also looks a "wee cold".
Christchurch was first settled in 1850, well, by the British anyway; a Maori tribe arrived 1,000 years ago. In 1856 it became New Zealand's first city. Nothing much happened after that until, that is, the Canterbury Crusaders won five championships in the Super 14 Rugby Competition. I would submit, arguably Christchurch's most famous person is Robby Deans, who is now the coach of the Wallabies. I think I might of missed some history, but that's probably the most important thing you need to know about Christchurch, and I'm sure New Zealander's being mad rugby supporters would probably agree with me to some extent.
The Avon River (above) runs through Christchurch. We walk around the city for a short time. It's very nice, but it's very cold, so we go back indoors.
I don't know how I did it, but I managed to convince Louise to venture out to a Rugby game in this, well, appalling weather. It was only a short taxi ride to AMI stadium (pictured above), previously known as Jade Stadium, for the Canterbury Crusaders versus the Queensland Reds rugby game. Now, as stated earlier, the Canterbury Crusaders are the most successful Super 14 team with five championships, and the Reds are coming from sunny Queensland, to the Antarctic conditions of Christchurch. To make matters worse half the Queensland Reds are injured, so they could be massacred here tonight.
Just before kick off, stirring music starts up, and seven horse riders, dressed as Crusader Knights, charge onto the ground, waving their swords around to work up the crowd, who are now yelling and cheering. It's actually quite a good ground to watch rugby, because the stadium is fairly close to the side line, however no doubt, it is an intimidating atmosphere for any visiting team.
A quick summary of the game:
After 30 mins - Crusaders 15 - Reds 0
At 33 mins - One of their best players, Quade Cooper, is sent off. Its just getting worse for the Reds.
The 37th minute - Crusaders score their third try in the corner, and the score is now 20 to nil.
At half time, Louise is close to hypothermia, and I do the gentlemanly thing and take her home. We walk outside, and the streets are deserted - everybody, including the taxi drivers are watching the game. Miraculously, a lady taxi driver who, obviously, is the only person in New Zealand who doesn't watch rugby is driving past, and picks us up.
I continue to watch the game in the warmth and comfort of the hotel room.
46th minute - Crusaders have scored their fourth try, and its now 27 - 0. The massacre begins.
The Crusaders soon score again, and its 32- 0.
In the 67th minute a miracle occurs, the Reds score a try, amd its a much better sounding 32 - 7.
The Crusaders are "backing off", "taking the foot off the accelerator", or maybe "having a bit of a bludge" - the Reds score again and its now 32 -12. Full time, and the scores unchanged.
So concludes our first (cold) day in Christchurch. Tomorrow, we are off to Louise's childhood home of Lincoln, and then to the port of Lyttleton. I just hope tomorrow it gets a little warmer..... did I say it was cold today?
