Back in Christchurch

This morning after breakfast I eventually headed out the Ferrymead Museum and Historic Village.

But first about the breakfast. When I booked in they asked if I wanted a continental breakfast--I said yes. Expecting a couple slices of toast and jam I was pleasantly surprised. First three slices of bread, two punits of marjorine, one butter, four jams and two marmites.  That in its self was good but then there was a small packet muesli and another of wheatbixs, a yoghurt, pottel of fruit, a tomato, a tube of Nescafe Vanilla latte and a bottle of fruit juice. I am having the latte and yoghurt tonight after the meat pie I picked up on my way home.

Now back to Ferrymead. It was a long drive, right across Christchurch, that became all the more confusing as I saw signs indicating I was going to Timaru, Akoroa, the city centre, and once to the West Coast. I soon told my self to ignore all of them and trust my Navman and of course watch out for the traffic lights. This I did until the last half mile when the road was closed for repair. So I turned around, ignoring Mr Navman's order to "make U-turn as soon as possible" until he got the message and recalculated a new route.

Ferrymead is certainly much larger than my last visit, sometime in 1980 I think. Several of buildings are still closed due earthquake damage. Unfortunately the two large aircraft buildings were close but I did see their Mosquito and the work being done to restore it. I saw trams, trains, an old railway station, a large butter churn, old electrical substation equipment along with four large mercury vapour rectifiers. Then there were the old houses, both cobb and wood, an old printery, a lawyers office, school, bakery, church, and old post office and telegraphic equipment. A great day.

On leaving, set the Navman for my motel and followed my orders. Most of the time it worked, but as its maps hadn't been updated since I bought it in 2005 it made mistakes due to local road changes and realignments. On the way I picked up a pie and filled the rental with petrol. Here Sod's Law came into play. On the way out I say plenty of petrol station on the other side of the road, but on the way I  didn't find one until about 2 km from the motel. Yes I am OK with real miles as well as these new fangal kilometres.

Add My breakfast for one.

The Mosquitos rebuilt tail plane

There is a still a lot work still to be done

The four mercury vapour rectifiers

Now I finished my pie and this writing so I will post the Blog and go and have the yoghurt.

Two nights in Oamaru

A good drive on Monday to Oamaru. Stopped at the Café at the turn-off to Waimatai for an orange drink and rosemary and bacon pie. Finally getting to David's place just after 1 pm.

After settling-in I set up my scanner and laptop and began copying the colour slides David had picked out for me. Slides from Jim Lennox-King, the leader, and Colin Baily, the doctor at Scott Base during the winter of 1960. Most of slide were taken in the mess hut during birthdays and parties and other celebrations. throughout this processing we had a good discussion about our separate work on the history of Scott's Northern Party. In the evening we went to the Star and Garter for splendid feed of belly pork, some garlic bread and red wine.

Tuesday was another sunny North Otago day and a lot more talking about the Antarctic and people we knew. After sitting outside for lunch we headed to Adventure Books to catch up Bill's latest Antarctic books. Yes, I bought some after all it was book shop not a lending library.  Later that afternoon we headed for Scotts Brewery and had a couple of their wonderful beers. From here we trotted around to and Italian restaurant for a meal of blue cod cooked Italian style. The restaurant had some marvelous old picture of Italian scenes. Some showing people standing outside cook houses eating spaghetti with there fingers.

Wednesday morning, at about nine  I headed back to Christchurch. I drove straight through because the weather forecast was for rain and gale-force winds and I wanted to get there before it started. So far neither has eventuated. I am sitting here at 7 pm typing with the sun is streaming through motel window and outside there is only a slight breeze.


A birthday party during the winter of 1960



Our doctor's birthday cake.



What we found after open Scott Bases front door after blizzard



The winter party at Scott Base 1960. I am second in from the right.

Ashburton and we beat France.

Just finished a Sunday roast at the Hotel Ashburton. It is warm, the sun is shinning and there is not even the slightest breeze. However the day did not start this way

Up early showered and went down to breakfast in the BreakFree on Cashel. Back to room just in time for the start of the World Cup game between the All Blacks and France. I layed on the bed and watched the first half. Then halfway through the second half the Blacks were so far ahead I decided they didn't need my support so I started my packing.

I left about 10.30 am and headed south to Ashburton. The weather was fine but there was a strong northwester. Strong gust of winds forcing the car to move east each time there was a gap in the roadside trees. Stopped for coffee at Rakia then headed on again arriving a the Hotel Ashburton about mid day.

Booked in then about 1 o'clock headed out the Ashburton Aircraft Museum. I had been there before many years ago and was keen to see if they had many new aircraft. They did. The second hanger that last time was half empty now was so packed with planes that it was difficult to move about. Several times I just missed hitting my head as move under one wing to get to the next aircraft.

I saw three aircraft I am sure that Gary hasn't got in his hanger and Maureen's grandchildren in Raleigh would enjoy

Then there were simple cockpits and a little more complicated ones.

After taking lots of photos I headed back to the hotel. Sat in the window with the sun streaming in and started to read. Of course I went to sleep and when I woke up went for my dinner or back to the start of this blog.

Off to Oamaru

Off down to the South Island. Flying to Christchurch and the driving down to Oamaru to visit David Harrowfield and copy of few Antarctic slides. The flight out of Palmerston North was quite smooth considering the wind at ground level and the landing in Christchurch wasn't bad either. I picked up a rental and set up the satellite navigation and headed off to my Hotel, the BreakFree on Cashel. Every thing would have been OK if had entered the correct address. There is a lot of difference 16 and 165 when part of Cashel Street hasn't been restored since the Earthquake. I arrived eventually to a lone hotel surrounded by empty building sites and partially collapsed buildings.

 However once inside it was all bright and new and on going up to my room I saw a corridor with an interesting set colour coded door mats.

The room is very small, new and fitted allsorts of techno fittings.

  After settling in I headed out to the Tannery on Garland Street a new shopping complex that on entering looked very old. I didn't buy a thing.

 Then after looking around I climbed back into my rental and let the Stat. Nav. take me back to the hotel. Yes! I had correct address this time.
Finished the day with a couple of beers and Chinese meal of spicy lamb salad.