Christchurch on Avon

It's quite a drive to Christchurch from Dunedin, especially if you stop at all the great little towns along the way.
It was a clear sunny day and we could see Mt. Cook and the So. Alps as we drove north. As we approach the Canterbury plain the driving becomes easier with fewer twists and turns. This is a big agricultural area.
Christchurch is hidden behind the bare hills of the Banks Peninsula. It is the most English of New Zealand cities with the lovely river Avon flowing through. Straw hatted punters complete the scene. We are staying at the YMCA, quite cheap and comfortable and across the street from the Arts Centre and Botanical Gardens. Also across the street is the popular Dux de Lux restaurant. This was the former dark-paneled faculty dining room for Canterbury College and now is a lively restaurant with good affordable food.
CC is lovely city to walk about with several nice museums and plenty of English charm.