Kiwi land!

We had a fairly brief flight to Christchurch this morning. Arrived to lovely summer weather.

After checking in and having a drink in the garden at our hotel we set off for a walk around Hagley Park just across the road.

This huge green space has some amazing mature trees, not all familiar to me. Even more unfamiliar is the sound coming from them. A cacophony of insect noise!

We got an ice cream (doubles - we are on holiday) and continued to the New Zealand Garden, based on the local flora and the swampland that used to exist in this area

This sculpture of a fern, the symbol of New Zealand, was at the entrance to the garden. I love the shape and felt it was a good introduction to the NZ (main) part of our holiday.

(Rainie we are here!  Where shall we see you on Tuesday? We have to return to the airport to collect our car and then will be on our way, probably getting there late morning. Looking forward to seeing you. J