Louise had a good sleep. At 10pm New Zealand time last night Louise said, "Goodnight, it's really midnight back in Sydney that's why I'm so tired." I didn't have the heart to tell her it was really only 8pm Sydney time.
A sunny blue crisp day greeted us when we awoke in direct contrast to yesterday’s weather. There was a market set up in Cathedral Square, and the sound of classical music from a local orchestra could be heard as we wandered around the stalls. Louise bought some thermal gloves, and a jacket, before we visited the cathedral.
We picked up our hire car, a Toyota Corolla, from Thrifty Car Rentals, and a GPS unit, which we learnt from our United States Trip, was invaluable when driving in a foreign country.
Just outside town, towards Lyttleton is the Christchurch Gondola (pictured above), a cable car, that provides fantastic views of the surrounding area. There is a cafe where you can relax, and enjoy the view of the flat plain where Christchurch is set out, bordered by the snow capped mountains, and the sea to the right.
This is the port of Lyttleton (pictured below).
We visited the historic Mona Vale Homestead (right) surrounded by it's formal English gardens.
Then, we headed out to the small town of Lincoln, about half an hour outside Christchurch on the Canterbury Plain.
Louise visited her old school (pictured right).
Looking towards Louise's old farm (pictured below right). Louise's dad planted those trees in the distance.
We then drove back into the city, and had a quick drive around Lyttleton, before heading back to the Hotel. For dinner we walked to the Christchurch Casino, that is more like a big RSL, and actually makes Star City Casino look good.
Tomorrow, we are taking a scenic drive into the Southern Alps to see Lake Tekapo.
