A New Country

Tipping it down when we got here so took a taxi to our hotel which is really lovely and only a 15 minute walk along the River Avon to the city. Our only outing of the day is in waterproofs to find a place to have food - a wonderful roast lamb Sunday dinner (although it's not Sunday) !

Lazy morning and have bacon and mushrooms at the Cathedral before doing a tour and then doing the Canterbury / Christchurch Museum which is very interesting and has a great display of genuine buildings from Antarctica. Christchurch is the place to go Antarctica from and 70% of all scientist etc go from here ! Have a nice swim in the rather hot swimming pool and then find a nice food court in town with a wonderful curry house - first real curry since we left home - yummy.

Next morning into town and take the Penguin Express to the International Antarctic Centre which is fascinating. We don overshoes and coats and experience a storm that has a wind chill of -25 - blimming cold I can tell you and the noise is awful. For those Welsh folk - you'll be pleased to know that all penguins are Welsh...the name comes from pen gywn (white head)...must be why I like them so much ! Watched the wee blue penguins at the centre and then finished the displays - so much info to take in...met some people from Ebbw Vale too - these Welsh folk get everywhere.

Next day collect our van - Kiwi Kiri - as she is now called - slightly shorter than the last one but better laid out...and so off on the road.