Friday 13th November. A morning spent in Christchurch, where the wind created such a chill that it seemed that we were back in Wales going into winter rather than New Zealand going into Summer. Christchurch is New Zealand’s third largest city, and the capital of the Canterbury region, South Island. We were glad that we did not revisit the Show that morning as we heard that many people went home at 10 a.m. due to the strong and cold wind!
We were to head back north that afternoon as Virgina Wiliams had arranged a barbecue so that we could meet her farming neighbours. Passing a sign for Leithfield Beach I though it would be good to do try and get into the tourist mode and take a closer look at the coast line. Friday 13th , I am not superstitious, I even turn our rams out on October 13th , but it did not take me long to find out that a Ford falcon Automatic does not do well on sand!! Sheila swears to this day that there was a sign…DO NOT DRIVE ON THE SAND DUNES. Feeling a total idiot, I walked the long embarrassing track back to the local village for some help, and hopefully a rope and a 4 by 4 driven by an understanding Kiwi. I found not one, but three highly amused Kiwis who were quite used to helping what they called stupid townies off the beach. It took around an hour to get us out, two 4 by 4’s, with a lot of flying sand and picture taking by a ‘I told you so’ Sheila. I think the three Kiwis, who did not ask for any financial recompense got a good night out on the beer money I gladly gave them for their efforts. A very embarrassed Welsh man got on his way……………….
The evening was spent in the company of the local farmers and their families who lived around Pat and Virginia’s home. It was a great evening, with wonderful food and interesting company. Much of the talk was about lamb prices, the weather, rugby, the same things are a topic of conversation for farmers all over the world!
One interesting fact was that when the the local farmers were having trouble with wild pigs, they hired a helicopter with a marksman on board and shot 140 in one day.
We were to head back north that afternoon as Virgina Wiliams had arranged a barbecue so that we could meet her farming neighbours. Passing a sign for Leithfield Beach I though it would be good to do try and get into the tourist mode and take a closer look at the coast line. Friday 13th , I am not superstitious, I even turn our rams out on October 13th , but it did not take me long to find out that a Ford falcon Automatic does not do well on sand!! Sheila swears to this day that there was a sign…DO NOT DRIVE ON THE SAND DUNES. Feeling a total idiot, I walked the long embarrassing track back to the local village for some help, and hopefully a rope and a 4 by 4 driven by an understanding Kiwi. I found not one, but three highly amused Kiwis who were quite used to helping what they called stupid townies off the beach. It took around an hour to get us out, two 4 by 4’s, with a lot of flying sand and picture taking by a ‘I told you so’ Sheila. I think the three Kiwis, who did not ask for any financial recompense got a good night out on the beer money I gladly gave them for their efforts. A very embarrassed Welsh man got on his way……………….
The evening was spent in the company of the local farmers and their families who lived around Pat and Virginia’s home. It was a great evening, with wonderful food and interesting company. Much of the talk was about lamb prices, the weather, rugby, the same things are a topic of conversation for farmers all over the world!
One interesting fact was that when the the local farmers were having trouble with wild pigs, they hired a helicopter with a marksman on board and shot 140 in one day.
I don't think anybody needs to comment - the pictures speak volumes. ;-)
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