M&D in Christchurch

Kiwi met us at the airport went for lunch and a few drinks then sat like bogans drinking in the garden. The next five days we spent relaxing at Kiwi's, catching up/getting to know him and while he was at work we took our time viewing some of Christchurch sights. We visited the cinema twice and I was delighted to be able to cook in a kitchen all to myself. My highlight was seeing Kune Kune pigs for the first time, they are so ugly but adorable at the same time.

Mum and Dad arrived later than expected as jetstar's punctuality record is pretty poor. It was so good to see them again; it seemed like ages since Peru. We had a couple of days in CC and with Kiwi's poor tour guide information it was lucky Dad had read about a few places of interest. James spent some alone time with Kiwi so I had M&D to myself!

In the (too small) rental car we went to Sumner beach and had delicious Fush and Chups from a van. It was almost like being back in Frinton. We visited the container mall on one afternoon and saw a group of 20 somethings running around in their underwear. We were told it was for some sort of competition but I just think they were a bit mental. We took a punt down the river, even though neither M or D have ever had the joys of doing this in Cambridge! The punting guide gave us a brief tour of the river and provided us with information that he had clearly made up, for example CC has the 2nd biggest park in the world! After the punt we walked around the 'huge' park, strolling in the sun and then sprinting in the shady parts as it was so cold. We found a restaurant called No.4 on Mansfield Terrace so obviously ate there. It was a good choice and we would highly recommend a visit, in particular the banana fritters!

We met up with James and Kiwi on one evening and went for a Thai. James ordered a masaman curry but without the nuts, due to his 'allergy'. When it came I think the lady must have misunderstood, it was piled high with extra nuts! This wasn't the only food faux pais, Kiwi ordered a curry that he could barely eat as it was so spicy and he got the heat sweats fairly rapidly!