Date: 18/02/2023 River: Avon River, Christchurch, NZ River Conditions: 1.676 cumecs at Gloucester Street bridge. Water clear. Grade 1. Weather Conditions: Sunny and warm, strong NE winds. Number on Trip: 1 person. Time on River: 1.5 hours. Comments: It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon, ideal for a nice paddle on the Avon. I carried the Blitz down to the river with my new split paddle that I’d bought on Trade Me to make sure it worked. The paddle, a Ruk Sport Moray 4 piece split paddle with an alloy shaft was relatively cheap at around $100, but seemed pretty robust with much nicer blades than my previous split paddle, which tended to flex during strokes. The other advantage of the new paddle was that being in four pieces, it will actually fit in back of my Blitz, a real bonus if you are planning to carry it in case of emergency.
A drowned supermarket trolley.
One of the first things I came across was a drowned supermarket trolley, it’s weed entangled wheels poking forlornly out of the waters surface. It’s always sad to see this type of things, as it doesn’t enhance the beauty of the area and they can be hard to remove. I generally try to Snap, Send, Solve abandoned trolleys, dumped garbage and other eyesores in the neighbourhood before they end up in the river. The app is really easy to use and can be used to report a range of issues in the community, and some issues can be solve promptly (though some supermarket chains can be a bit slack about picking up their trolleys).
The Medway Footbridge.
Down under the Medway Bridge and on past the Dudley Creek confluence.
Canada geese and willows near the Dudley Creek confluence.
Powering up the Avon.
There was plenty of bird life on the river, but the only other river user I encountered before Kerrs Reach was a low race boater doing a training run up the Avon.
Ducks & a black swan in the Red Zone, with the Port Hills in the background.
A pair of black swans were looking magnificent, so I stopped to take their photo, while trying not to disturb them too much.
Mr & Mrs Swan
Although we were still in summer, the temperatures were still warm, the colours of autumn were starting to show in places. One of the nice things about the Red Zone is getting to see the cycles of the seasons in nature.
The colours of Autumn starting to show.
The skies were clear and the water was smooth, but pushing into the strong north-easterly winds was a little hard at times.
Clear blues skies, a perfect day for a paddle through the Red Zone.
Beyond the Gayhurst Road bridge, I encountered an odd black swan that seemed to have an injured leg, as it stuck straight out behind it and didn’t seem to move. I watched it swim along, wondering if it was a birth defect or if it had been attacked by a dog, when another larger swan came up behind it and pecked at it. The first swan lowered it’s leg and paddled on normally, and this left me thinking that the larger swan might have been the first swans’ mother and she had just told it to stop fooling about and swim properly.
Swan with his leg stuck out.
Things were busy down at Kerrs Reach, with plenty of rowers on the river, so I turned around and head back up stream.
Rowing at Kerrs Reach.
Paddling upstream is always a little harder, depending on the tide, but it was nice to have the wind behind me.
Turning and heading home.
As I approached the Snells Place footbridge, I noticed someone climbing up the bridge arch.
Crossing the Snell Place Footbridge. Extreme!
Apparently they wanted to take a photo from a novel angle. I can understand that and this is probably the best of the new footbridges design-wise.
Taking photos from a different perspective.
From here, it was more paddling against the current and enjoying being out in nature, feeling the warmth of the sun and the cool splash of the water. Then home for a nice shower and a rest.
Blue skies, calm waters and home not too far away.
Date: 29/12/2022 River: Avon River, Christchurch, NZ River Conditions: 2.216 cumecs at Gloucester Street bridge. Water clear. Grade 1. Weather Conditions: Sunny and very warm, up to 32°C. Number on Trip: 1 person. Time on River: 5 hours. Comments: I had wanted to paddle down the Avon from as far upstream as I could. I decided to put in at the University of Canterbury Staff Club, as above the weir there, water levels are pretty low and the river is pretty shallow & muddy. After checking the weeks weather forecast, Thursday looked promising, with temperatures predicted to reach 30ºC, making being on the river, an appealing option.
UC Staff Club to Richmond Community Garden
I made myself a packed lunch, sorted out my gear, including my GPS, and loaded up Blitz on to the car. The above map outlines the route of my paddle, from left to right, with a few diversions down other navigable tributaries. Driving to the Staff Club was one of the quicker parts of the journey, and I was soon carrying my kayak down to the weir, that was my chosen launch point. A short video of the trip can be viewed here, the long extended version can be viewed here.
I’ve broken the trip up into sections, with the time taken for each section. Generally the sections with started by places where the river can be easily accessed, so these points can serve as either put ins or take outs, meaning you can tailor a trip to meet your own enthusiasm.The approximate times of each section are listed below (times will vary with individuals):
UC Staff Club to Puriri Street Bridge: 49 minutes Puriri Street Bridge to Mona Vale: 35 minutes Mona Vale to Botanic Gardens: 58 minutes Botanic Gardens to The Terraces: 32 minutes The Terraces to Victoria Square: 10 minutes Victoria Squareto Margret Mahy Playground:6 minutes Margret Mahy Playground to Pomeroy’s Bar: 17 minutes Pomeroy’s Barto Retreat Road / Swanns Road Bridge Jetty: 14 minutes
Put in at the UC Staff Club: 10:35am
The put in at the UC Staff club with the Avon River flowing out of a pipe.
I chose this point as it is the highest point I could put in and then paddle without having to get out of my kayak. Above this weir and water wheel, the Avon is quite shallow and not really navigable. Plus there is something cute about the whole “river” flowing out of a relatively small diameter pipe.
A quaint footbridge in the UC Staff Club gardens.
Paddling through the first part was a little tricky as it was quite shallow, you definitely want to check there is enough water before putting on and planning this trip for spring is probably a good idea.
Paddling under Ilam Road and in to the University of Canterbury campus.
The river was soon deep enough to paddle easily, before passing under Ilam Road and into University of Canterbury campus.
The University of Canterbury Students’ Association building.
The UC campus is nicely landscaped and having the Avon River flowing from the campus is a real bonus. The student union building was rebuilt following the Canterbury Earthquakes and is a fine new addition to student life. This is near the section of the river that is used for the Engineering Bridge Challenge, where students build a lightweight wooden bridge across the river and then have to cross it, often resulting in a dunking.
An overgrown, narrow section near the Student Union building.
Native plantings along the river banks in the UC campus make for a very pleasant paddle. Further down, willows overhang the river, complimenting the native plantings.
Clear water and plenty of greenery as the Avon flows through the University campus.
From the river, it is hard to believe that you are paddling through one of New Zealand’s top universities and not out in the countryside, the water is clear and the overhanging trees and foliage give the light a greenish hue.
Paddling through the University of Canterbury campus.
Clyde Road: 11:03am, 27 minutes elapsed
Paddling under Clyde Road, you move out of the open university campus and in to a tighter section, where the river flows through the backyards of the Fendalton.
The Clyde Road bridge as the Avon flows out of the University of Canterbury campus.
Fendalton is one of the more affluent suburbs of Christchurch and the Avon river winds it’s way through it. Having a river running through your backyard can be quite a feature and many home owners in this suburb have embraced their river boundary.
Above the weir downstream from the University of Canterbury campus.
Just down stream of the Clyde Road bridge is a weir with a drop of around half a metre. The weir can be paddled over with care or you can portage around the side, though be careful to respect the land owners property. I previously paddled this section in the 90s and managed to fall in while trying to get back into my kayak after portaging this weir, spend the rest of the day feeling a bit soggy.
The weir downstream from the Clyde Road bridge below University of Canterbury.
The pool below the weir is reasonably deep and it can be a little difficult to get back into your kayak if you portage the weir, due to the steep banks.
Thick foliage lines the bank as the river winds through Fendalton.
This section of the river is reasonably narrow and may get a little shallow during summer if the flow is low, but I didn’t encounter any issues on my trip.
Narrow stretches and steep sides as the Avon flows through Fendalton.
The banks are often reinforced with wood or stone, and are often overhung with vegetation.
Okeover Stream joins the Avon in Fendalton.
Okeover Stream is the other waterway that flows through the University of Canterbury. It is fed ephemerally by storm-water, but much of it’s base flow is waste water from the University’s air conditioning system. Much effort has been made to restore the section that runs through the University to a more natural state with rocks, pools, riffles and native vegetation. The stream is home to a number of very large (up to 1m long) eels, which are occasional fed by students (not fed on students). While it is possible to paddle the stream from behind my workplace, it is pretty shallow in places, as well as being quite narrow, and progress may be a little awkward. the stream joins the Avon not far from the Clyde Road & Kotare Street intersection.
Grassy banks & a weeping willow in backyard Fendalton.
Being one of Christchurch’s older and more affluent suburbs, Fendalton has some nice houses and it is quite interesting to see them from this unusual vantage point. If you are passing this way, please be respectful of others property and privacy as you float by.
Some nice houses back on to the Avon.
There are some lovely gardens that integrate well with their river boundary, making paddling this section quite rewarding. The water was also surprisingly clear for an urban stream.
A rural experience floating through Fendalton.
The river is reasonable distant from any roads and the traffic noise is muffled by the houses, so most of the time, the only sounds are birds singing and the splash of your paddle in the water.
Paddling through Fendalton’s backyards.
Puriri Street Landing: 11:24am, 49 minutes elapsed
Putting in at the landing by Puriri Street bridge is a good alternative if you want a shorter trip through the backyards of the wealthy suburb of Fendalton. The river winds it’s way through Fendalton before flowing through the Riccarton Bush Reserve.
An island in the Avon in Ilam.
Riccarton Bush: 11:33am, 58 minutes elapsed
Riccarton House overlooking the Avon at Riccarton Bush.
The historic Riccarton House at Riccarton Bush overlooks the Avon River and serves as a cafe/restaurant and an event venue, though if you are coming off the river, you may need a suitable change of clothing. There is also a 7.8-hectare kahikatea forest, a tiny remnant of the great forests that used to cover much of Canterbury. There are several walking tracks through the bush and it provides a beautiful and relaxing sanctuary within the bustle of Riccarton.
Beautiful gardens near Anselm House.
Floating out of the gardens at Riccarton Bush and under Kahu Road, you go past Christchurch Boys High School. Approaching a low bridge with a number of pipes along its’ side, the sound of turbulent water can be heard.
Past the Kahu Road bridge, looking towards the Christchurch Boys High Weir.
Duck your head to avoid any bumps and take care running the low weir as the outflow is rather shallow and contains a number of rocks.
Checking out the only surf spot on the Avon.
The rocks and the weir form a little rapid where you can almost imagine you’re surfing.
Surfing on the Christchurch Boys High play wave.
I had a little “play”, cutting back & forth on the “wave”, as the water splashed across my bow and onto my glasses and camera lense.
Below the Christchurch Boys High School weir.
From here I drifted downstream to continue my journey through the backyards of Fendalton on my way to Mona Vale. Passing under the railway bridge the stream opens out in a wider river as several stream combine their waters at the Mona Vale gardens.
Wairarapa Stream Side Excursion:
Instead of paddling downstream through Mona Vale, I chose a side excursion and started to paddle up Wairarapa Stream. The stream passes under Fendalton Road and then into one of the more wealthy areas of Christchurch and the riverside backyards do express some of that wealth.
An interesting sculpture waters the garden beside Wairarapa Stream.
There were a number of interesting sculptures along the river bank, which brought the scene to life.
A hippo lurks riverside on Wairarapa Stream.
I certainly found the bronze hippo more engaging that the pair of yapping dogs further upstream. I paddled as far as I could up stream, before the stream got too shallow to make further progress, and then turn to float back towards Mona Vale. I can see a future trip, where I put at Jellie Park and paddle down to Mona Vale. The stream seems to be deep enough to be navigable from there and should make an interesting paddle.
A private landing on Wairarapa Stream.
There were some landings along the stream, though I’m not sure where the owners of this boat take it, as the draught of the boat might be a little deep for this shallow stream. I checked out the smaller Waimairi Stream, which also joins the Avon just downstream from Fendalton Road, but this was just to shallow to get far.
Mona Vale: 11:59am, 1 hour 24 minutes elapsed
Floating through the gardens at Mona Vale.
Mona Vale is an early 1900s homestead with several formal gardens, riverside walks & a restaurant, and it was here that I decided to stop for lunch.
The Mona Vale Restaurant.
There was a nice landing, where they must sometimes running punting trips from, and so I got out here and enjoyed watching the river flow by as I ate my sandwich, watched by the occasional duck. It was also interesting looking across the river and watching the erratic movements of a robotic lawnmower as it worked it’s way around lawns of the property pictured below. Not sure if it did a good job, but the path it traced seemed pretty random and it definitely kept the ducks on their toes.
The landing at Mona Vale.
After lunch, I had a little wander about the gardens and made use of the public toilet, these are somewhat scarce along the riverside and it is important to make use of them when they are available. I also got mistaken for a tourist guide for some reason whilst wandering around the gardens in my buoyancy aid and spray skirt. Not sure exactly what they thought I was doing, but they were interested to know what I would do if I lost any of my party, which since I was alone, may have been a good question.
Lunch stop at Mona Vale. Hi Mr Duck.
Feeling fed and relieved, I was back on the river and heading downstream once more. I paddled down the right channels, under the bridge pictured below, to have a look at the high weir.
Looking down the right hand channel at Mona Vale, this flows over the high weir.
There is a nice view from the top, but it is not recommended to paddle over it because the pool at the bottom is fairly shallow and injuries could result. I briefly chatted to a group of guys with cheap “Warehouse” style rafts on a beer trip, and checked they weren’t planning to paddle down the channel and over the weir. Fortunately they were just going to portage around the weir after they had finished inflating their rafts and put in on the river below.
Looking downstream from the top of the high weir near Christchurch Girls High School.
I paddled back up the river and then down the left channel, past the glass house and on towards the double weir.
The glass house at Mona Vale.
The double weir isn’t as high as the one on the right hand channel and is divided into two steps.
Looking downstream from the top of the double weir at Mona Vale.
After the obligatory photos, I dropped over the lip and on to the step, which is about a kayak length wide, and then over the next lip to the bottom.
Looking upstream towards the glass house at Mona Vale from below the double weir.
Once at the bottom, I had a little “surf”, with emphasis on the term little, but it was quite neat to be able to look up the river along the waters surface, towards the gardens.
The double weir at Mona Vale.
I took a few more photos and some video of the weir, which in hindsight were the last photos of this weir that I would ever take as not long after the weir was redeveloped and replaced with a rock riffle (pictured below) to make the river more natural and allow fish to swim upstream and gain another 8km of habitat.
The old two step weir was replaced with a rock riffle in April/May 2023.
It will be interesting to have a paddle on the new “rapid” and see how it changes with river flows. It looks like there might be a few little “play” spots for a mild urban adventurer.
“Surfing” in the fish ladder beside the double weir at Mona Vale.
I had a little splash in the fish ladder at the side of the weir before carrying on downstream. I met up with one of the rafters at the confluence of the two channels, waiting for the rest of his crew to complete the portage.
One of a group of recreational boaters in cheap rafts with a pleasant (beer) trip down the Avon on a hot afternoon.
I paddled back upstream to have a look at the high weir from the bottom and the water did seem pretty shallow, maybe only 1 or 2 feet deep.
The high weir near Christchurch Girls High School near Mona Vale.
Onwards down the river, under Fendalton Road and into Hagley Park. There was splash ahead as someone dropped of the rope swing and into the river, cooling off on a hot summer’s day. This spot is a popular swimming hole with students after school on scorching summer days, with a rope swing and a water depth of around 2 metres deep. Not sure about the water quality or potential health risks, but I would probably try not to swallow the water, otherwise it’s a lovely spot for a swim in the heart of the city.
The swimming hole near the intersection of Fendalton Road and Harper Avenue. This spot is popular after school on hot days.
As the Avon flows around Hagley Park, the river becomes wider, bordered by roads on one side and parkland on the other. As the water spreads out in the wider channel, the river becomes shallower.
Clear water and greenery, floating past Little Hagley Park.
Although there are roads nearby, the river is a peaceful place and the current pulled my kayak along as I soaked up the beautiful greenery of little Hagley Park.
Floating past the northern end of Hagley Park.
Turning the corner at the Bealey Avenue, the river flows along beside Park Terrace and Hagley Park. On this stretch, I passed a couple having a relaxing float through the park on tyre inner tubes. Using this method, you’ll get a bit wetter, but when the temperature is in the high twenties, that isn’t so much of an issue.
Floating through Hagley Park on inner tubes, great on a scorching hot day.
Around the west end of Armagh Street, the river turns into Hagley Park and begins it’s sinuous curve around the Botanic gardens.
Cool, still waters, shady green foliage and a kayak, what could be better on a hot day.
This stretch is popular with recreational paddlers, as various river crafts can be hired from Antigua Boat Shed, allowing people to travel up the river and explore this particularly scenic section of the river.
Plenty of paddlers enjoying the hire boats in the Botanic Gardens.
Being such a nice day, there were certainly plenty of people keep to have a fun day on the river.
Punting on the Avon through the Botanic Gardens, a very pleasant way to spend a sunny afternoon.
Punts rides can also be taken from the Antigua Boat Shed and these enable the less active tourists to also experience the Botanic Gardens from the river. The guides give plenty of commentary as they pole there boats up the river.
The Botanic Gardens Curators House and gardens, viewed from the river.
Hot weather & sunshine makes for busy times at the Antigua Boat Sheds.
Past the Antigua Boat Sheds you head in to the central city. River craft thins out as you are not allowed to take the rental boats downstream, which is a good thing as the shallow stretches and riffles would make return the boats difficult, as they are generally impassable to upstream travel.
The river flows swifter down the shallow riffles.
This riffle also used to be a small weir, but now speeds boats into the city while still allowing fish to swim upstream. Although now entering the city, the river still remains an oasis of nature. The river banks have been allowed grow naturally to provide a more natural environment for aquatic life to shelter under, as well as reducing pollution entering the river.
The Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial wall.
The Canterbury Earthquake Memorial wall is a sad reminder of the 185 lives lost in the quakes, as well as those lives shattered by loss or injury by the events. The building behind encased in scaffolding and plastic, serves as a reminder of the work still to be done in repairing the damage done. 12 years on, this tower stands empty with work still being done to make it able to be lived in again.
The war memorial, Bridge of Remembrance.
The Bridge of Remembrance was opened in 1924 and together with its Arch of Remembrance serve as a memorial to servicemen and women of two World Wars and subsequent conflicts in Korea, Malaya, Borneo, and Vietnam. The bridge replaced an earlier bridge over which many thousands of soldiers marched en route from King Edward barracks to the railway station and overseas service, from which many did not return. The bridge and arch were repaired and strengthened after the 2011 quakes.
The Terraces: 2:32pm, 3 hours 57 minutes elapsed
The Terraces, a popular hospitality area.
Formerly the Strip, this hospitality & nightlife area was completely rebuilt after the Canterbury Quakes, and the Terraces, which give the area its’ new name, were constructed to connect the area with the river.
A waka ama paddles up the river, past the Hereford Street bridge.
It’s hard work to paddle upstream in this section, past the shallow riffles, but a couple of waka ama paddlers gave it a good go.
A large trout hangs out at the Terraces.
Some large eels and trout hang out around the Terraces and you can hand feed the eels if you are careful with your fingers, as they will bit and have plenty of small but sharp teeth. Sea gulls and water fowl will also try to mug you for food if you choose to eat you lunch by the river. If you do want lunch, the Riverside Market has plenty of tasty options, but you’ll want to make sure you guard or secure you boat if you do decide to check it out.
Gormley’s sculpture “Stay” contemplates life in the Avon River.
Carrying on downstream, you can drift past Gormley’s sculpture “Stay” as it stand forlornly in the middle of the river, keeping its’ silent vigil. Further still, you pass the new convention centre Te Pae, which was built on the site of the old public library and the Farmers department store.
The Gloucester Street bridge in the foreground with Te Pae, the new Christchurch Convention Centre behind.
Victoria Square: 2:42pm, 4 hours 7 minutes elapsed
No time to stop at Ice Cream Charlie for a vanilla sundae and I carried on past the refurbished Town Hall. It is nice to the iconic dandelion fountains working again, they were a popular image of pre-quake Christchurch.
The Dandelion Fountain at the Christchurch Town Hall
Down past the Edmond’s Band Rotunda, which was badly damaged in the earthquakes but has now been restored to a open air performance space and is back to it’s former glory. The wakas moored near the rotunda seemed to be all ready for paddlers but there was no one around.
Wakas moored near the Edmonds Band Rotunda.
A school of fish shot by, heading upstream and I snapped a quick shot before they flashed out of view.
A school of fish swim upstream.
Margaret Mahy Playground: 2:48pm, 4 hours 13 minutes elapsed
Paddling through the poplars that line the Avon near the Margaret Mahy Playground.
If we still lived on Peterborough Street, I’d almost be home. We used to frequently used to walk along side this stretch on our way into the city, to go to the movies, eat out or just go shopping. Before the earthquakes, this was pretty convenient and it is nice to see the city being restored and gradually coming back to life again. The Margaret Mahy Playground on the right bank is usually busy and also features a car park and jetty, making it a reasonable place to start or end Avon River paddling trips.
The fire fighters memorial near the Barbadoes Street bridge.
Under the Barbadoes Street bridge and past the Firefighters Memorial, which was made from the twisted steel girders from the World Trade Centre and commemorates the lives of firefighters who have loss their lives doing their duty. Under the Kilmore Street bridge and past the new Central Fire Station and down the “Fire Station rapid”.
A stand-up paddle boarder paddles upstream past the Barbadoes Street Cemetery.
The Avon Loop was Red Zoned after the quakes and all the lovely, historic cottages were demolished and the land cleared. Now the right bank is home to a new park, which with the historic cemetery on the left bank makes for a pleasant stretch of the river with a distinctly rural feel in the central city. A stand up paddle boarder went by, heading upstream. These river-craft can be hired from Airborn Paddle Hire.
A rural landscape on the Avon Loop.
The river narrowed after the quakes as a result of lateral spreading around this stretch and so the water can be a little swifter than the wider reaches.
A shag waits for his dinner.
As well as the rural like environment, there are plenty of birds on the river and it is good to see them going about their business, though there does seem to be a lot of Canada geese around. They have large broods, and because they form large flocks and are very protective of their young, many survive to adulthood.
The Canade geese are also wondering why they rebuilt the road so close to the river surface.
Pomeroy’s Bar & Restaurant: 3:05pm, 4 hours 30 minutes elapsed
No time for a beer stop at Pomeroy’s, too tired to stop.
There’s a nice, new landing just off Kilmore Street near Pomeroy’s but I was a bit too tired to stop and get out for a beer & some pork scratchings, so I carried on, home beckoning.
Paddling through the Red Zone on the home stretch.
Paddling through the Red Zone and seeing the Swanns Road bridge come into view is a welcome sight, especially as fatigue sets in.
Not too far now, Swanns Road bridge beckons in the distance.
Almost home, the take out near the Richmond Community Gardens.
I was pretty tired by the time I got here and hauled my kayak out of the water. I wandered home through the Richmond Community Garden and was very glad to make it to our bathroom after such a long time on the water. After a bit of a rest break, I got my bike out to cycle back to where I’d left my vehicle. It’s a pleasant bike ride, much of it following the Avon, through the Red Zone, Parks and on bike paths, but I wasn’t in much of a state to really appreciate it. On the way I said “hello” to some of the rafters from earlier, who were still on the river near Fitzgerald Avenue. The distance was more direct than in the kayak but by the time I made it to the Staff Club, I was pretty exhausted and a bit sore, so I spent a bit of time lying on the grass before loading up my bike and heading for home for a good rest. Oh man, that was epic and I have to admit that I spent the remainder of the day lying down and moaning!
Date: 12/11/2022 River: Avon River, Christchurch, NZ River Conditions: 1.339 cumecs at Gloucester Street bridge. Water clear. Grade 1. Weather Conditions: Sunny and warm, changing to overcast and some spots of rain. Number on Trip: 1 person. Time on River: 1.50 hours. Comments: It had been a beautiful day and the weather was looking to turn, so it seemed an ideal time to squeeze in a paddle before the rain came. I carried the Blitz down to the river and set up to launch off the rock filled gabion baskets that form the jetty I usually get out on. I seal launched into the river, my kayaks nose sliding under the water, the water cascading off my deck before I set off upstream.
Ready to seal launch in to the Avon.
The current was fairly swift (for the Avon) as the tide must have been turning, but the sky was still blue and the waters’ surface, a mirror. It was great to be on the river and to revel in the beauty of nature, it was very relaxing despite the physical exertion. To drink in nature and to be present in the natural environment, is a real pleasure and makes me feel alive.
Time on the river gives you time to reflect.
The Red Zone is a great resource and it is a special place and I love spending time exploring it. To have such an amazing place in the heart of the city is rare and I hope the future developments preserve its’ accessibility and natural features.
Swans’ nest
Just above the Swanns Road bridge, the swans have a next and it looks like their young one is growing up. I didn’t get too close, not wanting to disturb the family, as swans can get quite protective, especially when they have signets.
Swans’ nest above Swanns Road bridge.
Further upstream there was a family of Paradise Shelducks at the Linwood High School landing, the ducks finding it useful despite its’ battered condition.
Paradise shelduck family at the Linwood High landing.
When the river runs beside Avonside Drive, the vehicle noise level goes up but it is still a pleasant paddle between the tree lined banks. A quick slalom between the pillars under the Stanmore Road bridge, then on up to the Fitzgearald Avenue bridge and past Pomeroys.
Why does Fitzgerald Ave flood in heavy rains?
Interestingly after the earthquakes, they rebuilt Fitzgerald Avenue where it borders the river, as big cracks broke up the road and walkways. For some reason, the new road now dips down and under normal flows (like is shown above) is not far from the waters’ surface. This means that during high flows and floods, the northern lanes are often closed due to flooding, and sometimes even the southern lanes are effected too. Civil engineers eh?
More reflection on the river.
Moving into the Avon Loop and away from the road, the peace returns. The river gets a little swifter in the sections where lateral spreading in the earthquake brought the banks closer together.
Barbadoes Street cemetery.
Paddling around the Avon Loop and past the Barbadoes Street cemetery make you feel like you are in the countryside, not in the centre of a city.
No trolls under this bridge.
Passing under the Barbadoes Street bridge brought me back to our old neighbourhood. I paddled as far as I could before the shallow waters of the “fire station rapids” stopped by upstream progress. It was time to head home anyway. I chose to drift back down the river, to relax and soak in my surroundings. I spotted a number of fish, a bike frame and a small set of bolt cutters in the water as I floated by.
Almost home as the rain starts.
Spots of rain were falling as I neared home. Flashing lights peaked my interest and I noted the Police arresting some guy beside the river as I passed, not sure why and I didn’t stop to ask. I was soon clambering out at the spot I had launched from earlier and heading home before the rain started to pour down. Time for a nice shower before cooking dinner.
Date: 16/10/2022 River: Avon River, Christchurch, NZ River Conditions: 2.628 cumecs at Gloucester Street bridge. Water clear. Grade 1. Weather Conditions: Sunny and warm, brisk NE winds. Number on Trip: 1 person. Time on River: 1.75 hours. Comments: I hadn’t been for a paddle for a while, poor weather at the weekend or too many things to do around home, so I was very happy to shoulder my kayak and head down to the river on such a beautiful day.
Looking back upstream and hoping not to get bombed by a seagull
I decided to head downstream and was soon powering along, getting back into the rhythm of the river. There were plenty of ducklings around, including some big clutches of Paradise Shelducks, which was nice to see. Hopefully many of them will survive to adulthood.
The Snell Place Footbridge
I paddled down past the Gayhurst Road bridge and on under the Snell Place footbridge down to Kerrs Reach. There were quite a few whitebaiters along the river, though mainly around the areas with road access, as the council removed access to the gated Red Zone areas.
The landing near Kerrs Reach
Earlier in the day I’d read a post about improvements around the Red Zone and someone was bemoaning the lack or poor condition of the various landings along the Red Zone stretch of the Avon, so I decided I would document the ones I passed. The one pictured above is just above Kerrs Reach and probably doesn’t get used much, if at all, and still is in its’ post-quake condition. Launching at Kerrs Reach is probably easier, unless an event is taking place around the rowing/kayaking clubs.
The new Dallington “Landing”
The photo above shows a river level view of the new Dallington Landing, just downstream of the Gayhurst Street bridge, and you can clearly see that there isn’t actually any landing suitable for launch a kayak and neither is there any place to park nearby if you were intending to put your kayak on the river here. This is more a toilet / picnic stop for cyclists or walkers, rather than a landing for river users.
The Wainoni Landing
The Wainoni Landing is looking a little dilapidated but seems to be mostly functional. It probably doesn’t see much use these days as it is in the Red Zone with no vehicle access to it anymore and nothing special to visit around it. This landing is just upstream of the Gayhurst Road bridge and on the opposite bank from the new Dallington Landing.
Paddling upstream was certainly harder than the downstream journey, possibly one of the advantages of paddling upstream to start with, the journey home is always easier. At one point I came across a lone duckling, I couldn’t spot its’ family, but I home it managed to find its’ way home. I paddled past the get out and on under the Swanns Road bridge, as I wanted to get a photo of the old Avonside Girls High School landing.
The Linwood High School Landing
The school is now part of Linwood High and the landing is still serviceable, though a little tired looking. The landing is still in use, with a vehicle with roof racks parked near by and I suspect it belonged to a race boater that went past me on the river. Hopefully we’ll see some improvement in the on-river facilities in the coming year as the Avon River Corridor developments start happening.
From here, I turned downstream and headed for home for a well-earned shower and a tasty roast chicken dinner. I felt pretty worn out having not paddled for a while, but it was a great way to round off the weekend.
Date: 14/08/2022 River: Avon River, Christchurch, NZ River Conditions: 2.528 cumecs at Gloucester Street bridge. Water clear. Grade 1. Weather Conditions: Sunny and warm, light winds. Number on Trip: 1 person. Time on River: 1.75 hours. Comments: For a change we had beautiful sunny weather over the weekend and the “Polluted Water” signs had disappeared from the river banks (during periods of flooding, wastewater can get into the stormwater system and thus into the cities waterways), so it definitely looked like a paddle was on the cards. Saturday afternoon got used up hunting down some rocks for a water feature I was planning for our garden, so when Sunday afternoon rolled around, I decided to take the Blitz (the Blitz Special having been returned to the storage locker) for a paddle.
A couple of barracudas on the Avon.
A couple of barracudas cruised by as I was struggling to fit my spray deck to the cockpit rim. Once that was in place, I slid smoothly off the back, the kayaks nose diving below the rivers’ surface and the water flowed around me and off the Blitz’s tail, confirming that I had managed to fit the deck correctly and the boat hadn’t filled with water.
Reflections on still water.
I decided to head downstream, seeking the peace & solitude of the more rural Red Zone, far from busy roadways and nosy vehicles. As always it was great to be back on the water and to feel my senses filled with all the sensory experiences nature had to offer. The trees, their winter limbs bare of foliage, contrasting darkly against the clear blue sky, their textured bark highlighted in the bright sunlight. There were plenty of swallows flitting about, possibly a sign that Spring is on it’s way.
The Snell Place Footbridge.
The new footbridges have added a new point of interest to the trip and they seem to be well used by walkers and cyclists enjoying the Red Zone on a sunny Winter’s day. The bridges also provide way points to measure the distance when paddling, the Snell Place bridge meant I carried on my journey beyond the Gayhurst Bridge, my normal end point, and since Kerrs Reach is just a little further, I carried on to that stretch, before turning for home.
The Swan family with five early signets.
Another sign that Spring isn’t too far off, was a swan family with five little, fluffy grey signets. Father swan was very protective of his children, honking at me and advancing with feathers ruffled to ensure I kept a good distance while taking photographs. Interestingly I spotted a large brown rat, bounding along the river back, behind the swan family, hopefully he didn’t have ideas of a tasty signet for supper. These swans must have been lucky with their choice of nesting site, as they often build their nests a bit above the waterline and the recent floods have submerged and swept away many of these places.
Winter turns the trees into fractal silhouettes.
It was nice to feel the sun on my face as I paddled against the current, the bare and backlit trees turned into fractal silhouettes against the sky, their limbs branching off to infinity.
Looking towards the Port Hills on the way home.
Paddling upstream is always harder and I was feeling very out of practice, so it was nice when I reached the home stretch and paddled past the Eels. I continued up to the Swanns Road bridge to complete the journey, before paddling back down to the get out and scrambling up the bank to walk home for a well deserved cup of tea and a crumpet smothered in honey.
Date: 25/06/2022 River: Avon River, Christchurch, NZ River Conditions: 2.045 cumecs at Gloucester Street bridge. Water clear. Grade 1. Weather Conditions: Sunny and warm, light NE winds. Number on Trip: 1 person. Time on River: 1 hour. Comments: We had a long weekend to celebrate Matariki, the Maori new year and on the Saturday the weather was perfect, around 17 degrees, sunny & still, so what better way to round off the day than a paddle on the Avon.
Preparing to launch, if the swan will let me.
I got changed and grabbed the Blitz Special and headed down to the river. A couple of swans swam over to see if I had any food, but moved off as my kayak slid into the water. I decided to head upstream, as I hadn’t paddled for a while and it is always easier to paddle with the current on the homeward stretch.
A beautiful still & warm winters day.
The river was mirror smooth and it was great to be back in my kayak after almost two months since my last paddle. Soon I was powering upstream and everything felt good & familiar. I said “Hi” to the Rev, a Muscovy-Mallard cross duck who calls our stretch of the river, home. As I paddled alongside Avonside Drive, the traffic noise reminded me why I preferred to paddle downstream. The peace of the Red Zone can really transport you away from the noise & worries of the city.
Passing one of the old pumping stations on the Avon Loop.
After passing under the Fitzgerald Avenue bridge, you gradually move away from the busy roads and the peace of the Red Zoned Avon Loop descends on the river. We used to enjoy walking through this area when we lived nearby and it still is a lovely location even if all the quaint old cottages have disappeared.
Canada geese take flight.
There were quite a few water fowl on the river and with the narrowed river around the Barbadoes Street cemetery, making for a swifter current, there was a tendency to drive startled birds before my kayak as I powered up the “rapid” sections. Once I got to the “Fire Station Rapid” near our old put in when we lived on Peterborough Street, I paddled up as far as I could go, before the water became to shallow & swift, then turned towards home.
The brick barrel drain where St Mary’s Stream flows into the Avon.
After passing under the Barbadoes Street bridge, I stopped to check out the old brick barrel drain, where St Mary’s Stream flows into the Avon. Apparently its’ source is a spring in the grounds of St Mary’s vicarage off Manchester Street and it was bricked in and redirected under Salisbury Street early in Christchurch’s’ history. In 2005, a short section of the stream was opened up to form a pool & stream, and a reserve was created to highlight the cultural & historic significance of the site of Puari Pa, which was home to the chief, Tautahi after whom, Otautahi/Christchurch is named, as well as being an important food gathering location.
Under the Stanmore Road bridge.
From here travel was swift with the flow. I did the obligatory slalom around the pillars of the Stanmore Road bridge as I paddled under it. The light was fading as I neared home but the reflections and light made for some nice photos.
Dusk approaches.
It was nice to finally get a paddle in and I wasn’t to worn out when I got home, so I used the time before washing off the river water & sweat, to arrange some recently salvaged basalt blocks from a demolished house’s foundations, into a border for some of our garden beds. A geologist’s garden can never have too many rocks.
Date: 25/04/2022 River: Avon River, Christchurch, NZ River Conditions: 2.063 cumecs at Gloucester Street bridge. Water clear. Grade 1. Weather Conditions: Sunny and warm, light NE winds. Number on Trip: 1 person. Time on River: 1 hour. Comments: Anzac Day was sunny and warm, so after a game of disc golf in the Red Zone and a cup of tea, I decided to take the Blitz Special for a paddle. I’d recently replaced the shock cord holding the back rest in place and was keen to make sure everything was fitting right. I shouldered my kayak and heading down to the river. The tide was in and there wasn’t much of a drop from the bank to the water at my usual launching spot and I was soon heading upstream for a change.
Autumn colours on the Avon.
The autumn colours looked spectacular reflected in the rivers’ mirrored surface and it was great to be on river on such a beautiful day. I said hello to the Rev (a Muscovy mallard cross duck that used to hang out with Greta the Paradise Shelduck), as I paddled past Linwood High. He was hanging out with another female Shelduck plus seagulls and mallards in a popular duck feeding site.
The Rev & friends.
I did the slalom run around the pylons of the Stanmore Road Bridge as I carried on upstream. Saw a large trout flash past as I powered by in the opposite direction. Traffic noise disappeared as I paddled under the Fitzgerald Road bridge and moved into the Avon Loop section of the river. As a result of the quakes an the slumping of the river banks, the part of the river that flows past the Barbodoes Street cemetery has become narrower and paddling against the current required a bit more effort.
Paddling past the Barbadoes Street Cemetery
I got as far as the Fire Station “rapids” by our old launching spot when we lived, the river here is too shallow & swift to paddle up, so if I wished to carry on, I’d need to do a brief portage. I briefly “played” on the rapid or at least attempted a couple of ferry glides across the current. I said hello to our cat Agnesi, who is buried by the river and told her she is still missed, before turn for home.
A duck powers up the Fire Station “Rapid”.
With the current aiding my return journey I was able be make good time. The setting sun brought the colours to life and reminded me that it was time to get home and start making dinner. As I approached the Swanns Road bridge on my way home, I noticed a small table on the river bank and paddled over to take a look. On closer inspection, there was a red telephone sitting on top of the table, interesting I thought. I assumed it was some sort of art installation rather than just abandoned household goods. I later spotted an explanation on Facebook, it turns out the phones are part of a community wellbeing initiative by Flourish Kia Puāwai, where people are invited to use the phones to make a call to the river, to share their worries, concerns, grief or whatever else they’re dealing. So if you see one of these phones, give it a try, make a call to nature and tell the river your worries and let them float away. #riverphone
More shades of autumn.
The light was starting to dim as I pulled my kayak up onto the bank and headed across the community garden for home. Felt better after a shower, a dinner of some of the tastiest pasta I’ve ever eaten (it’s a real favourite from the Mediterranean Food Company) and Netflix. It’s always nice to spend some time on the river, but even better to get home at the end of the day.
Date: 6/03/2022 River: Avon River, Christchurch, NZ River Conditions: 2.094 cumecs at Gloucester Street bridge. Water clear. Grade 1. Weather Conditions: Sunny and warm, light NW winds. Number on Trip: 1 person. Time on River: 1.5 hours. Comments: It was a beautiful, warm day with the temperature pushing 27 degrees and I’d be for a walk with Lauri down to the river and the sun sparkling on the water was hard to resist. So after afternoon tea, I got changed, grabbed the Blitz Special for a change (I had it in the garage as a friend wanted his son to try it out) and headed down to the river.
Paddling downstream, the water smooth & glassy.
Seal launched off the bank and paddled downstream, the tide was high and going out, the water glassy with the trees reflecting in its’ surface. As always it was nice to be back in my kayak and on the river, the blitz special pushed smoothly through the water. I paddled under the new Medway footbridge, which looks like it is getting closer to being open, the accessways on both sides of the river are in place, just seeming to be missing the handrails along the sides.
Down past the Dudley Creek confluence, said “hello” to a large shag, resting on the river rubbish trap. Noted the photogenic willow tree near the downstream end of Morris Street had disappeared, apparently blowing over into the river during some strong wind a few weeks back. Said “hi” to another recreational paddler paddling an old fiberglass rivercraft upstream.
The new Dallington Landing picnic area, construction almost completed.
Paddled under the Gayhurst Street bridge and checked out the new Dallington Landing from the river. Apparently it is almost completed and will be a great recreational asset to bring people in to enjoy the Red Zone and the river. From here I carried on down to the new Snell Place footbridge.
Paddling under the new Snell Place footbridge, that replaces the old bridge that was damaged in the quakes.
Work has progressed since the last time I was here and the bridge is now in place and much of the approach work has been built. It is definitely the nicest looking bridge of the three new footbridges in the Red Zone, with stylish wooden arches crisscrossing the bridges deck. Keen to check out the bridge, I pulled into the bank and clambered up a conveniently placed stepladder onto the deck of the bridge. I took some photos and walked over the the other bank to complete the trifecta of crossing the new footbridges (only the Avondale one is officially open at this stage).
The new Snell Place footbridge, almost completed.
Box ticked, I climbed back into my boat and slid back into the river and headed for home. Time was ticking on and it was getting into early evening, so I needed to get home and put the chicken in the oven for dinner. Going upstream against the flow was not quite as easy as the trip down, but I made steady progress. Briefly startled the large shag at the rubbish trap as I passed. As I neared home, I said “hi” again the the recreational boater returning from his upstream adventure, apparently he’d paddled upstream for an hour and a half before turning back, so had a wee way to go before he could rest.
Seal launching after check out the new bridge.
I paddled up to the Swanns Road bridge to check out if one of our local duck characters, The Rev (a Muscovy cross), was about. He was still looking good and paddling around with a number of other ordinary mallards. There is also a nice family of pukekos living around the bridge & landing area, that seems to be steadily increasing in numbers. From here I paddled back to the get out and squeezed out of the boat, taking care not to fall in the rive After I’d got the boat out of the water, I noticed that some foul person had taken a dump on the landing area. Fortunately I hadn’t chucked the boat or paddle in it, but it was still kind of gross and feral. Yuk.
I walked home, said hello to Peri who’d jumped out our upstairs window to ask where I’d been. I defrosted the chicken and warmed the oven while still in my paddling gear, so dinner dinner was happily roasting in the oven before I hit the shower to get rid of the wet poly pro stench.
Date: 16/01/2022 River: Avon River, Christchurch, NZ River Conditions: 2.718 cumecs at Gloucester Street bridge. Water clear. Grade 1. Weather Conditions: Sunny and warm, strong nor-east winds. Number on Trip: 1 person. Time on River: 1.75 hours. Comments: The weekend weather had been beautiful and while I couldn’t head off to the Hurunui with the club, I could still clock some outdoor time on the mighty Avon. Lauri was worn out from yesterdays cat walk, when Peri spent some time with Barry, a young male cat, relatively new to the neighbourhood and very keen to play. So while Lauri slept, I shouldered the Blitz and trotted down to river.
The tide was in and I launched straight off the bank into the river, before paddling off downstream. There was a strong wind blowing from the coast, providing a bit of resistance and kicking up a bit of chop on the waters’ surface. It was nice to be back on the river and to be able to actually do some exercise in an enjoyable manner.
The new Medway Footbridge, almost completed.
There has been a little bit more progress on the Medway Footbridge, with the access ramps almost completed, so hopefully the bridge will be open soon.
The Red Zone looking green & inviting.
I powered on downstream, allowing the stress & worry to melt away in the beautiful surroundings. I had the river mostly to myself, except of the various water fowl that call the river home. Below the Gayhurst Road Bridge, work is continuing on the Dallington Landing area and a start has been made on the Snell Footbridge. I carried on down to Kerrs Reach before turning about and heading back home. The outflowing tide made upstream progress a little more difficult.
Paddlers pass the large crane at the Snell Footbridge site.
I followed a group of adults & children, enjoying an outing on the river in kayaks, back up to the Gayhurst Bridge before overtaking them and continuing on alone. It is always nice to see young people enjoying exploring the natural places in the city.
The underside of the Medway footbridge.
I paused briefly under the Medway Footbridge, contemplating getting out and re-crossing the bridge again, but in the end I decided not to and continued my paddle home. I passed the get out and carried on up to the Swanns Road bridge to see if I could see the “Rev”, a large Muscovy / mallard cross duck, who lives in the area and we feed occasionally. Spotted him hiding in the trees by the south bank, with a posse of female mallards, so that was good. We were worried he might have been “rescued” (abducted) and there has recently been a number of ducks killed by unrestrained dogs.
After going under the bridge, I paddled back down to the get out and clambered up the bank, shouldered my kayak and walked home for a shower & a rest, with a well deserved cup of tea.
Date: 4/01/2022 River: Avon River, Christchurch, NZ River Conditions: 2.082 cumecs at Gloucester Street bridge. Water clear. Grade 1. Weather Conditions: Sunny and warm, nor-west winds. Number on Trip: 2 people. Time on River: 2.75 hours. Comments: I’d wanted to take Lauri for a trip down this section of the Avon for a while now, but with her lack of energy made it difficult to plan. I had suggested doing it the day before but she didn’t feel up to it and so I instead planned to paddle from the UC Staff Club in Ilam, all the way home. It would have been along trip but I’ve been keen to document the journey in more detail than I did when I paddled from the University to our place in Peterborough Street in the late 90’s.
The day was sunny and warm, and as I was outlining my plans for the day, Lauri looked a little disappointed and said that she was feeling ok & would be able to go for a paddle. So we soon made sandwiches for two, sorted out paddling gear and got the boats loaded on the car for the drive to the put in at the Botanical Gardens. When we drove in to the Armagh Street entrance to Hagley Park, we soon realised that got to the park was extremely popular today and finding a park might be a little tricky. As we neared the end of the road in, not having spotted a free park, I noticed most of the cars in the queue were driving in, then turning around and driving out. So I pulled in behind a car parked at the edge of the road (not actually in a proper park) to unload Lauri & the gear before finding a better place to park. Some loudmouth with his awful taste in music blaring repeatedly shouted his appreciation for my parking, but since we were merely stopping whilst unloading, with no intention to actually park in that location, he could get…
After we’d finished unloading, a car pulled out of our bay and we quickly drove in to the empty parking spot, so things worked out well. From there, we hauled the kayaks to the river and I launched Lauri into the river before following behind her.
The start of the journey in Hagley Park.
The section through Hagley Park is quite beautiful, though it did get a little crowded at time, with plenty of people taking advantage of the rental boats at the Antigua Boatsheds. Still on such a beautiful day, what could be better than messing about in boats on such an idyllic river.
Fighting through the crowds in the hire boats.
It was amusing at times, as many of those in the rental kayaks were novices and steering was not their strong point. This did make Lauri feel a lot more confident about her own paddling ability.
Punting on the Avon through the Botanical Gardens.
It was nice to see the punts in action, especially since the pandemic has put a halt to international tourism. It is good that kiwis are taking the opportunity to experience some of the attractions their country offers.
Spotting eels at the Antigua Street boat sheds.
We stopped briefly at the Antigua Boatshed to see the eels which congregate there, hiding under the boardwalks and only emerging when they sense food or fingers in the water. There are some quite big (old) ones there and some of them have been given names by the punters. Past this point river traffic thins out considerably as you aren’t allowed to take the hire boats downstream.
Enjoying lunch on one of the central city river islands.
We paddled past the earthquake memorial wall and then stopped to eat our sandwiches on one of the small islands in the middle of the river. Generally only ducks and possibly drunks visit the islands, so this made an interesting stop.
The Bridge of Rememberance.
After lunch, we relaunched our kayaks and carried on down stream, under the Bridge of Remembrance and past The Terrace. We wanted to see if we could spot any eels here, but there was a swan family with a couple of almost fully grown signets, on the steps and we didn’t want to get too close in case they found it threatening. I did see a large trout, but it flashed away pretty quickly.
Under a bridge, past the waterwheel island and onwards downstream.
Paddling through the city is always interesting, as you get to view the city from a different perspective and it is great for social distancing during a pandemic.
Passing the Gormley statue in the Avon, the recently opened Te Pae convention centre in the background.
We said hello to Gormley’s Stay sculpture in passing, before checking out the new convention centre from the river. Looks pretty good from a distance and it will be interesting to visit when the pandemic has past.
Enjoying a Charlies’ ice cream sundae on a hot summer day.
At Victoria Square, we stopped and I wander off to pick up ice cream sundaes (vanilla icies) from Ice Cream Charlies as a treat. We generally can’t go past Victoria Square without partaking of this traditional indulgence, especially on a hot day. There was a bit of a wait as they were quite busy, but it was worth it.
Pulling a waka upstream near Victoria Square.
While we were enjoying our sundaes, we were surprised to spot this waka coming up the river. This section is fairly swift and shallow, so is quite hard to paddle upstream, but I guess if people are happy to get out and push, it makes it easier.
Christchurch’s Ferrier Fountain restored to its’ former glory at the Town Hall.
After we completed our treats, it was back downstream again, past the iconic fountain at the Town Hall, which was running again after being out of action for a long time after the earthquakes.
The new central city footbridge over the Avon.
We got to check out the underside of the new footbridge that had been recently completed. I look forward to exploring a lot of the new developments that have happen around the city, but at the moment avoiding crowds of potential virus carriers seems more of a priority.
A waka parks at the recently refurbished band rotunda.
It was good to see the recently restored band rotunda and while we were admiring it, the waka came paddling back downstream towards us, which was pretty cool to see. If you are interested in trying out this experience, booking can be made through Waka on Avon.
Paddling between the poplars, past the Margaret Mahy Playground.
At the poplars, the distance was starting to tell on Lauri but she kept on going as we moved through what was our old neighbourhood. We paused briefly at the eastern end of Peterborough Street, to remember our old cat, Agnesi, who is buried on the river bank there. She was an awesome companion and always has a place in our hearts. She is still very missed even though she has been gone for around 15 years.
Clear water & the vivid greens of nature.
Paddling past the cemetery and round the Avon Loop is just like being out in the countryside. We used to enjoy walking around this area when we lived in the neighbourhood, and often thought we’d like to live overlooking the Avon in the Loop. Sadly the earthquakes wiped out all the lovely little cottages & villas, so that dream ended, but it is still a pleasant green space now for everyone to enjoy.
Paddling by the cemetery, you could almost believe you are in the countryside, instead of the central city.
One of the houses that did survive the earthquakes, that we always loved & dreamed of buying, was the house pictured below on Cambridge Terrace. This two storied house from the 1900’s, with it’s turret, balconies and river outlook would make for a lovely, quite “rural” lifestyle in the central city, there is evening a tyre swing by the river now.
One of our favourite houses in the background and a tyre swing by the river.
From here, home beckoned and there was no stopping for a beer & pork crackling at Pomeroys. Lauri was getting pretty tired as we worked our way through the Red Zone, but still had enough energy to make sure she “won”, by reaching the jetty first.
Almost home, Lauri leads the way.
I helped Lauri out of her boat and loaded her kayak on her little trolley, but tired as she was, she was still happy to tow it home. Once we got home, it was time for a well earned rest for Lauri, while I cycled back to Hagley Park to pick up the car. We did pick up a few tasty pastries from the Japanz Bakery for afternoon tea on the way home to help recover our strength.
