Christchurch, known for its English heritage, is located on the east coast of New Zealand’s South Island. Flat-bottomed punts glide on the Avon River, which meanders through the city centre. On its banks are cycling paths, the green expanse of Hagley Park and Christchurch Botanic Gardens. In 2010 and 2011, earthquakes destroyed many of the historic centre’s stone-built buildings
The large number of public parks and well-developed residential gardens with many trees has given Christchurch the name of The Garden City. Hagley Park and the 30-hectare (75 acre) Christchurch Botanic Gardens, founded in 1863, are in the central city, with Hagley Park being a site for sports such as golf, cricket, netball, and rugby, and for open-air concerts by local bands and orchestras. To the north of the city is the Willowbank wildlife park. Travis Wetland, an ecological restoration programme to create a wetland, is to the east of the city centre in the suburb of Burwood.
On the Saturday morning after I arrived, Linley and I went to the Farmers’ markets at Riccarton House. The Christchurch Farmers’ Market is held every Saturday and has been operating since 2004 making it one of Canterbury’s original food markets. The market is set in the idyllic open air grounds of the historic Riccarton House and Bush. Situated under 100 year old trees the weekly market winds itself beside the Avon River and follows past the 1856 Homestead and gardens towards the 1.8 hectare protected native bush ‘Puringamatou’.
Over 60 of Canterbury local producers and artisans showcase their wares each Saturday. From baking to fresh seasonal vegetables & fruit, cheesemongers, delis & butchers, patisseries, olive oil, and a number of hand-made breakfast & lunch food options plus fresh organic coffee from Hummingbird Roaster, the market is full of cuisines and food products.
On Sunday we decided to get some exercise in before heading to Queen Charlotte Sound, so we walked around Hagley Park and the beautiful Botanic Gardens.
In the afternoon we took Linley’s grandchildren, Blake and Everly, to Sumner beach with the 2 dogs, Bella and Fergie.
Sumner beach is close to the township of Sumner. This Christchurch beach continues onto Scarborough beach via a 1.25 km promenade starting at Cave Rock. Sumner beach also has the nearby outlet of the Avon Heathcote Estuary. The fresh air was refreshing!
