Spring has not sprung in Christchurch, New Zealand

September, October, November are touted as Spring down here on New Zealand’s South Island. We figured we’d hit it just right, in the middle of the season. At least that’s what AI touted. Ah, well, layers are the key and the one and only skort I packed may never expose my knee caps.

Where in the world are the traveling trio of John, Terri and Donna? Here’s the map. I write now from Queenstown, having fled the rainy, cloudy, many-layered outwear of our first two days in Christchurch. Gorgeous city, even sans sunshine. Amazing meals. No complaints.

We start in Christchurch, and have three nights in Queenstown starting now (Sunday for me, Saturday in US).

Small world surprise. Donna and I are filling out excursion choices in the hotel lobby. OK, it was the lobby bar. A lady is in a booth along the back wall and asks if we’re with Tauck (the tour company). Yes, we are, she is, too, where are we from, we tell her, what about her? Minnesota and also Arizona.

I think I know this woman. My brain races through my database. Is it Long Beach, PGA West, high school? No, no and no. OMG, it’s Janet Bredison (Fohr) from Lake Minnetonka where John grew up. They’ve known each other since grade school, lived just a few houses apart from each on Rest Point Road and spent every single summer together with a gaggle of siblings and other summertime friends. (John and I were back at the lake this summer for a “Lake Kids Reunion” hosted by Janet, her husband Bruce, and John’s brother Jim and SIL Sheila Langhans.)

John wasn’t with us, so we cooked up a plan to surprise him the next morning. Two-camera video shoot with Donna’s phone from outside the door and mine from inside our hotel room captured John’s shock and awe. But it’s too big of a file to post. Here we are at the Welcome Dinner.

Janet and Bruce Fohr, Donna Halker, John and me.

Pictures worth more words than I have time to write. Here’s the collection with captions to capture our two days in Christchurch.

In the botanical rose garden, we could only find one rose.

But what a perfect beauty it was. 

Punting on the Avon River that runs through the city and the Botanical Gardens. We were to go on Saturday, but the rain raised the river too high to pass under the bridges.

John, a plaque and a camphor tree.

Terri and Donna in a tree.

Donna in her element.

Zzzzzzzz after all that nature.

On to Queenstown next. Jet boats, helicopters, wine tasting, more helicopters, gin tasting and luxurious, cultural spa retreat to come. Not all in one day.

5 Replies to “Spring has not sprung in Christchurch, New Zealand”

  1. Some great pics here Terri! I especially love the last two!
    My daughter and I missed Christchurch on our tour of NZ. Those gardens are beautiful! And I can’t wait to hear about your adventures in Queenstown.
    Have a pie for me!
    Patti

  2. What fun. We love New Zealand! Sorry for the rain. But sounds like you are ‘seeing’ through it. Will you see Milford Sound?

  3. What an amazing and fun trip, TERRY! And how about that surprise for your husband john… Doesn’t get any better than that. Continue to enjoy.. joyce jensen

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