So back to the big city lights - it's been a while.  We roll into Christchurch on Sunday afternoon, park the van up and wander around.  Only to end up in a world standard classic..... Irish pub!!! 

Monday starts with a lunch stop at New Brighton beach.  Not that disimilar from the real Brighton.  Then into the city centre for an afternoon of the Canterbury Museum and the Art Gallery.  The museum has a good exhibit on the Maori history and Antarctica.  Both well worth visiting.  Then off to a local pub brewery "dux de lux" to try the Christchurch tipple.  Nice beer it was too! 

Tuesday we went outside of town to find the Gondola which summit's an extinct volcano and has panoramic views of Christchurch and Lyttelton.  We also did an award winning time train which just blew our minds!!!!!  Then back down in the gondola and we decided to head through the tunnel to a small town called Lyttelton, mainly because we've just finished a book by a guy who lives there, so thought we would pay it a visit.  To leave Lyttelton we head over summit road which drives straight over the top of the volcano on a very windy road, with random sheep crossings.  Then back down into Christchurch for the tram ride round the centre of town. The day was completed with a wander round the shops.

Wednesday we headed on the trail of finding a real life Kiwi bird.  So we headed off to a place called Willowbank wildlife centre.  A small independant wildlife reserve and conservation centre, with the animals freely wandering around (and mugging you when they smell the food in your pockets!!!)  The walk is finished with a Kiwi house, set up for night time so you can see the birds active.  And active they were, we saw plenty of the birds wandering around and forraging.  Excellent to view especially when you consider how endangered they are.  In that they let you walk through them as they carry on their business.