Foodie or Not? - by Julie

Christchurch welcomed us with a wintery overcast day. We parked up at the Top Ten Motor Camp on the Main North Road very near Northlands Mall. It’s a huge camping ground tucked away in the middle of suburbia.  You wouldn’t know it was there other than the steady stream of campervans that roll in and out, morning and night. It’s almost wall to wall campervans.

Family and friend were our focus in Christchurch - catching up with Esther, Jonathan and Morgana and dining at our most preferred Japanese restaurant Tomi, ….bring on the lotus chips, egg rolls, dumplings and sushi.

I spent many hours with my parents at townhouse 14 and frequented the Coffee Co-op in Addington with my sisters Alanna and Suzanne. This bohemic café offers great food and service amidst an eclectic, mis-matched array of old chairs and tables, typewriters, books, bikes and memorabilia. It’s a great place to hang out.


Four Little Girls from the Same Mould, Wings Spread Afar about to Unfold....Drury Sisters 1995.

We had a delicious dinner at Lorraine's place (Wayne’s sister). I particularly liked those stuffed capsicums. My Dad cooked me whitebait… yah…Do I sound like a foodie? No, not a foodie, just someone who appreciates that there’s nothing better in life than food that looks good, tastes amazing and is shared with people you care about.

We caught up with long-time friends Karen and Eric who joined us in the caravan for dinner. While I ventured to Scarborough to the Ocean café to catch up with my friend Bev, whom I met on my celebrants course. Had the most delectable seafood chowder while secretly planning my exit route away from the cafe as the WAVES on the beach were huge; perhaps as a result of Cyclone Pam or a high spring tide? The water was teaming with surfers…mad people, what were they thinking? The waves were alarmingly high as we sat metres away from the sea wall, with water lapped the footpath. Despite this distraction, Bev and I made merry; catching up on news and solving some of the world’s problems.  All in a day’s work.



Bev and Julie - Great Minds Think Alike.

Wednesday 18^th March 2015 was of course the official launch of our blog ‘Sabbaticus Line’ which we toasted with a beautiful medal winning NZ Pinot Noir by Tiki, given to us by Shirley and Barry Maybe before we left Palmy. Thanks guys. A perfect wine for this auspicious occasion. Thanks to everyone who’s been keeping up with the blog. Now we have the hang of it, we hope to be posting a little more regularly.







NZ Pinot Noir, by Tiki









Launch of ‘Sabbaticus Line’

 











We discovered the cycle and walkway between Mona Vale and Papanui. I preferred to cycle as it was much quicker and safer and my cycle times got quicker as I raced across town, as the crow flies, instead of travelling conventional road routes. Even walked one damp day from the camping ground to Mum and Dads near Mona Vale in just over an hour… shank’s pony is time to reflect while exercising.

A 'find' in Christchurch was the Taylors Mistake Godley Heads walk.  The walk takes you from Taylors Mistake high up above the sea and around the heads. Some interesting WWll gun emplacements and informative reading along the way. A pleasant walk away from the city, its hustle and bustle.


Taylors Mistake



A View from the Top looking at Harris Bay



Second World War Emplacement at Godley Head

Follow the Instructions of your Crew!



Speaking of hustle and bustle, I am constantly reminded of the state of Christchurch, post-earthquake, and the state of the roads- congestions is common place. Planning to get travel anywhere and arrive on time takes strategic planning.  I found this exhausting and frustrating and I am sure the city itself is frustrated with what it has become. But in saying that, can I also praise and applaud Cantabrians on their courteousness and patience on the roads. Thanks.

We departed Christchurch on Monday 23^rd March via the Main South Road heading for Geraldine with Dad’s yummy stew stored safely in the fridge (there I go again…mention of food). Catch everyone again on our return in late May…let the journey continue.