Arcadia makes her approach to the harbour of Lyttelton. South Island is the larger of the two New Zealand islands, though really there are three if one count Stewart in the far south. Five hundred miles long and on average ninety five miles wide, South Island is dominated by by the Southern Alps running west of centre from the northeast to the southwest. Christchurch situated in the Canterbury region, is the largest city with 306,000 inhabitants. It lies just over halfway up the east coast (which I have driven by car!).
A very good start to my day.
Awesome comes to mind......
No wonder it is compared with Scotland.....
or even Ireland!Good Day Everyone,
What a great day we all enjoyed in the port of Lyttelton which is the gateway for Christchurch, the second of our New Zealand ports.
Lyttelton in a charming port with a stunning harbour and azure blue waters. Famed explorers Robert Falcon Scott and Earnest Shackleton used the port as a departure point for their expeditions.
Christchurch is a very beautiful City and very clean without being clinical. The architecture is very pleasing to the eye and it there is so much to see on foot and a paradise for people watching.
After Crew Drills in the morning Sally Sagoe our Cruise Director and I went ashore to visit Christchurch. I was reminiscing about the time I first visited her on my Grand Tour of the South Island!
The Chief Executive Officer on the ground and founder of Christchurch was John Robert Godley. His intention was to create a God-fearing Anglican community in an English setting. He certainly succeeded from an architectural point of view to the extent that Christchurch is known not merely as the Garden City, with one third of its area covered by gardens and parkland but also as the most English City outside England! The tree-lined streets and the Avon River winding through this comparatively laid-back city create an aura of time past. The pedestrianised area around the Cathedral and all the major points of interest are within walking distance of each other.
The Chief Executive Officer on the ground and founder of Christchurch was John Robert Godley. His intention was to create a God-fearing Anglican community in an English setting. He certainly succeeded from an architectural point of view to the extent that Christchurch is known not merely as the Garden City, with one third of its area covered by gardens and parkland but also as the most English City outside England! The tree-lined streets and the Avon River winding through this comparatively laid-back city create an aura of time past. The pedestrianised area around the Cathedral and all the major points of interest are within walking distance of each other.
Captain Peter Rea, Port Operation Manager meets the Bridge Team.
Two Captains on the Bridge! Captain Ian Walters and Captain Peter Rea, Port Operations Manager from ISS- McKay Limited - our Agents. Captain Rea's Father was from Enniskillen which is another famous Lake land!
The Town Cryer!
Arcadia all set for another busy day in port. The excitement was everywhere with the brilliant weather conditions for sight seeing. Just check the colour of the sky.
An amazing view across the bow of Arcadia.
Arcadia brings the world to you.........
Blue skies, nothing but blue skies shining on me..............la de la de da.........!
So much to do so little time..................see the reflection of the clear blue water on the ship's hull.
The corner of Worcester Boulevard.
Sally and the Penguin Express! Love their sense of humour!
James hops on a Tram.This is a great way to take in many of the City's sights.Trams were introduced in Christchurch in 1905, but within fifty years the last of the familiar green and cream trams had left the streets. Some of the original trams have been recently restored and put back in service.
Dominating the Cathedral Square in the neo-Gothic Anglican Cathedral designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott. The foundation stone was laid in 1964. The building was consecrated in 1881.
Lots going on and the market stalls come out when a ship is in port. There was a live band playing and it was a perfect day for a visit. I love the way they build all the new high rise building keeping the old facades in tact.
On the edge of Cathedral Square....
This modern sculpture is called the Chalice.
The 215 foot spire.
Many different styles to admire.
Enjoying the Garden City.
A wide selection of historical statues to view.
Hello Mr Blogger here.....................
The River Avon.
Enjoy a punt on the river.
What a setting in the City Center.........
Again you can see an old facade with a new building in the back.
This could be you.
The Centre of Contemporary Art - the largest selection and display of contemporary art - five galleries and over 50 exhibitions per annum.
The tram lines. Everywhere is spotless.
The Dux de Lux where Sally and I enjoyed a delicious lunch. This is a very popular gathering place for the locals - I knew about it from my previous visit.
Even the Tram cars were decorated with fresh flowers - detail detail detail everywhere.
Some amusing signage!
All the building are in great condition - no flaking paint here.
Berwickshire Seafarers in Lyttelton.
Dominating the Cathedral Square in the neo-Gothic Anglican Cathedral designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott. The foundation stone was laid in 1964. The building was consecrated in 1881.
Lots going on and the market stalls come out when a ship is in port. There was a live band playing and it was a perfect day for a visit. I love the way they build all the new high rise building keeping the old facades in tact.
On the edge of Cathedral Square....
This modern sculpture is called the Chalice.
The 215 foot spire.
Many different styles to admire.
Enjoying the Garden City.
A wide selection of historical statues to view.
Hello Mr Blogger here.....................
The River Avon.
Enjoy a punt on the river.
What a setting in the City Center.........
Again you can see an old facade with a new building in the back.
This could be you.
The Centre of Contemporary Art - the largest selection and display of contemporary art - five galleries and over 50 exhibitions per annum.
The tram lines. Everywhere is spotless.
The Dux de Lux where Sally and I enjoyed a delicious lunch. This is a very popular gathering place for the locals - I knew about it from my previous visit.
Even the Tram cars were decorated with fresh flowers - detail detail detail everywhere.
Some amusing signage!
All the building are in great condition - no flaking paint here.
Berwickshire Seafarers in Lyttelton.Left to right: Staff Captain Derek Gray, Chief Pilot Tom Veitch, First Officer Euan Scott
Arcadia edges away from her berth after a most memorable day in Lyttelton Harbour.
Next port Dunedin.
There is one thing for sure - everyone wishes to return one day, New Zealand - we're loving it!!!!
Arcadia edges away from her berth after a most memorable day in Lyttelton Harbour.
Next port Dunedin.There is one thing for sure - everyone wishes to return one day, New Zealand - we're loving it!!!!
Bye for now,
James.
Take to the sea and reach for the sky.
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12 comments:
I am running out of words to describe your fantastic photos. Blue sky would love some of that over here having woken to quite a lot of snow this morning.
Sharon L
Oh Christchuch looks absolutely wonderful - and so very British!
I think you've convinced us that down under it has to be for next year!
I am looking forward to "seeing" Dunedin since that is where my Uncle was Methodist Minister.
Sharon hasn't told you, James, but TWO WEEKS TODAY we leave for Hong Kong! Not long now.
Gill
Thanks again James - looks beautiful.
Once again we have snow here!
And poor Madeira has been hit by terrible floods.
Hi James,
beautiful pictures once again, one could be looking at somewhere in the UK, very pretty indeed. Cant wait to see the pictures from Dunedin.
We are expecting very hot temps here in Perth for the next week with the max hitting 41c next Sunday. When my niece arrives on Tuesday it will be 37c, and Wednesday we are expecting 39c.
Regards to all on the Arcadia.
Geoff Witts Perth
Hi James
Just catching up with the blogs!
I have to say Christchurch looks an amazing place. The photos of the approach remind me of when we nearly brought a property over in Ireland near Limerick (a place called Killaloe) overlooking the river shannon. Even on a wet miserable day the view was stunning.
It is very English isn't it? The punts on the river just like in Cambridge.
The weather looks wonderful too James. Looking forward to pictures of Dunedin. There is a house near hear called that ;-0) I wonder if they originate from there??
I guess you have heard the tragic news about Madeira. We had such a lovely day there at Xmas. I hope there are no more fatalities and that the weather improves quickly so they can clear up.
Mixture of rain and snow on the hills here today James. Tom went out to play golf, but was back home within the hour! He's mad!
Elaine (aurorabore)
Thank you for the lovely day in Christchurch - well it felt like that. Your lovely photos have once again transported me to where you are. Today, we have had a litle sprinkle of snow but the sun is out and the sky is blue so its not so bad here.
It seems that the Madeirans and getting on with the clean up and and still welcoming visitors. The web cam showed the marina and harbour are very muddy but the waters are still. A dreadful disaster nevertheless.
Regards to all Judith
Hi James,
Wanted to say a big thank you for your pictures of Christchurch, it looks a great place to see. Even more looking forward to next years world cruise on Aurora.
Will you be passing Aurora in the next week around the gold coast.
Hi James,
Just wanted to say a thank you for your pictures of Christchurch. Almost as nice as my home town Christchurch in Dorset. Looking forward to seeing New Zealand on our world cruise next year.
Hello James
'Wow' excellent pictures, we are so jealous, what wonderful sights (especially your knee's) and the weather looks perfect. Never seen the river Avon looking so good!!
Elaine said she was in Bristol for a few days, good job she was not about 26 miles further north, as our village was cut off on Thursday for a few hours because of snow (Gloucestershire). Such awlful news about Maderia, it was lovely in December, hope the recover.
Cant wait for further photo's, help the winter to pass.
Judith and Colin Atkins
Hi James
it just keeps getting better every day
regards
Ray
Hi James,
Thanks for posting these lovely pictures of all of your ports of call. Very sad to see the terrible pictures of the problems in Madeira, and that it can be restored to the wonderful island that it is.
Judith
It was really odd, because the city centre wasn't that bad, but as I got to the M4 to head to the M5 there was a good layer of snow - motorway was still running though!
Apparently it's going to be heavy snow here tomorrow according to the BBC weather site! Yippeee - I can't wait - and yes I'm being sarcastic!
Elaine (aurorabore)
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