An early start for the hour long flight from Wellington to Christchurch, Quake City and still being rebuilt after the devastating earthquakes.
Our captain told us to buckle up as it was going to be a windy trip, which it was... however, in the scary stakes, it was nothing compared to the landing we had (or didn't have) at Christchurch... a lovely run-in with the wheels just about to touch down and then, engines roaring, and up we go again! Heart in the mouth stuff or what? Captain told us that there was something or somebody on the runway so he thought it best to take off again.
Everybody on the plane were out with their cellphones giving their loved ones a call in case we didn't make it back to solid ground. I put my double Jameson down, grabbed the wife's hand and said, 'my dear, if you make it and I don't there's something I need you to do for me'. With a big tear in her eye, she nodded and said 'anything'. I said 'please phone Warren and tell him that, despite three defeats so far in New Zealand, I still love him!' Eye is still a little bruised...
On the drive in from the airport to the centre of Christchurch, you are immediately hit by the enormity of the damage that the earthquakes caused. The whole city centre is a building site, cranes everywhere and any bit of land that you see which is currently a car park, used to have high rise buildings on. Many buildings still have props on them holding the walls up.
Once we had settled in to our hotel we jumped on one of the trams that goes around the city centre and our driver spoke with such a love for his city and explained what the earthquakes had done and how the rebuilding was taking place. Your heart certainly went out for the people of Christchurch and here's to a speedy return back to some sort of normality.
A visit to the 'Quake City' museum explained in detail what happened and how the city centre was devastated. It certainly brought home what can happen in a few short minutes and how life-changing such events can be.
On our second day in Christchurch we decided to take a trip on the TranzAlpine Express, a train from Christchurch through the mountains to Greymouth on the other side of the island. Whilst it was magnificent scenery, we were disappointed to see that there was very little snow. It's the middle of winter in New Zealand and people are walking about in shorts and t-shirts (freezing mind you!).
Plus, we live in Wales and we've got plenty of magnificent scenery ourselves. Having said that, it was a pleasant day out and one that we're glad we took.
On our last day in Christchurch, we visited the grave of Charles Upham, a double VC winner (only three ever) and the only 'combat' soldier to win two as the other two were medics (both of whose graves I have visited). Whilst in the churchyard, a local asked where we were from and we told him Wales, which he said he'd never heard of. His wife, told him to behave and told us that his mum was from Abertillery! Looking at the headstones in the cemetery, the thing that struck me, apart from the young ages of those buried there, was how many were from Wales and the UK originally.
The plans for the rest of our day were scuppered after visiting the New Zealand Royal Air Force Museum. We had planned on a couple of hours maximum but Jeff, our tour guide, had other ideas when his half hour tour turned in to about three hours and we still hadn't seen half of what was displayed! It was dark when we came out so no chance of going on the Gondola trip to the hills above Christchurch to view the city from above. Next time perhaps...
Disaster! I'd intended going to see the Crusaders play the Highlanders on our last evening in Christchuch and presumed it would be an evening game (what with work, kids in schools etc) but was devastated when we got back to the hotel after our museum visit to see the game being shown live on the TV with an afternoon kick off... best laid plans and all that...
I would love to come back and see how this fantastic city looks after another two or three years of reconstruction. Best wishes to all in this lovely part of the world.
Off to Dunedin in the morning and the last few days of our trip to the land of the long white cloud. It's been a great trip so far, but imagine what it could be like with a Welsh win! Come on Wales...
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