Louise's Running Life: Christchurch

Monday

A day to myself. I love my parents, but I need time out every now and again! Jumped on the bike and pedalled into the city. Parked in Cathedral Square and walked around town. Checked my emails, browsed the secondhand book shops, bought a chicken kebab from a stall in the Square (I look forward to this every visit!), and took the tourist bus on its loop around the CBD.

Back to the bike, with my pack full of food from the supermarket, and rode through Hagley Park again – stopping for food under a tree. Hot for Chch – 32°C. Rode home via the shopping mall (kinda out of the way) to buy Mum a knife that can actually cut tomatoes (she’s been using the stab’n’squish technique for far too long!).

Cycle: 6.7 + 8.0 km
Walk: probably around 8 km – my feet were pretty hot and sore by the time I’d finished

Tuesday

Shopping with Mum, visit to my sister and 2 nieces. Short walk to Briscoes in the afternoon, approx 2.5 km return.

Wednesday

Cycle with Mum and Dad along the river towards Travis Wetland Nature Heritage Park. Parked the bikes (not allowed in the park area) and walked through the wetlands. Had lunch in the bird hide before completing the circuit back to our bikes. Rode home via Horseshoe Lake, also a wetlands area and also out of bounds for bikes, but there was no sign at the entry we used. The boardwalk was definitely not suitable for road bikes, and even my hybrid had trouble!

Cycle: 11.4 + 9.4 km
Walk: 3.9 km
http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/2162919

Thursday

Tramp with Dad to Mt Richardson in the Foot Hills. Long climb up the Mt Richardson track to the trig. The guide book said 3-4 hours, we got to the top in less than 2! After a well-earned breather and photo stop, we headed east along the Blowhard Track (and yes it was blowing hard) where we had lunch under a tree. Then back down via the Loop track where my knees really started complaining.

The area is Beech forest, and in recent years they have become infested with a german wasp – very aggressive, territorial creatures. While I was waiting for Dad to finish getting ready, they were checking me out – hovering around my shoes, and following me when I backed away. It was still too cold for them to be much of a nuisance though. When we got back to the car in mid-afternoon, it was a different story. They were *swarming* around the car and the air was thick with them. We made a mad dash for it, jumped in the car still in our tramping gear, and took off down the road. Dad kept driving all the way into Oxford where we stopped for an ice cream and a comfort stop.

12.9 km (1344m elevation)
http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/2162734

My last evening in Christchurch, so I took my parents to dinner. They chose a culinary delight called Denny's! Which actually wasn’t that bad – even the cheap red plonk was drinkable, and we got a free travel mug for spending more than $50.

Friday

Last day – went for a walk to the local supermarket with Mum, and spent the rest of the morning lounging around. Flew home in the afternoon, and missed a meal again – this time dinner.

Melbourne traffic really sucks. And the long term airport parking had all changed around since I left – I was no longer in area B6 (now A-something), so had to find my car from memory. It was only 20m or so when I popped out between a row of cars to where I thought it was! I stopped at McDonalds on the way home to go to the loo, and thought about a burger. But after eating healthily for two weeks, I decided not to tarnish my halo.

Stayed up late – too bloody hot – even though I was 2 hours ahead.