Crazy crazy golf

The motel in Arthurs pass was one of my favourites. It was a bit hillbilly with a big gas stove and electric blankets. It had a lovely wooden porch with a table, and apparently the kea come along and make friends. We snuggled down for the night to the sound of rain on the roof, and awoke in the morning to the same sound. There was also a really heavy thunderstorm that shook the floor. No kea appeared out of the gloom, it would have been wonderful in nice weather. It was Vickys birthday so she opened all her cards and presents, she says thank you all. It was also Anzac Day, a New Zealand public holiday. We loaded up the car and I handed the key in. Don't worry, said the lovely lady, the sun will be shining in Christchurch.

Through the gloom we could see mountains and valleys, rivers and rocks. Again it would have been wonderful in te sun. We exited the pass in the town of Sheffield, and stopped for coffee in a lovely cafe in Darfield. 

The rain also stopped in Darfield and the sun came out. We continued on to Christchurmch and Vickys choice of activities. Crazy golf! As you all know the Walters family Crazy Golf competitions are legendary. We had chosen the wonderfully named Caddyshack as our venue. The lady behind the counter was really bubbly. 'Don't hit the ball hard and if it gets stuck in the works, call us' she demanded. The course was great with lots of moving parts and themed holes, such as the castle, the airport, the mine, the zoo etc. every time a ball went through a part it made a noise. Sometimes the ball moved like on the gondola where it rode up in a gondola. It was so good we had fun without fighting, who would have thought it. At one point the group in front got their ball stuck in the roller coaster. The woman had to shout for Ray and his drill. 'I've never seen that happen before' she laughed. Good choice Vicky. 

We then checked in at our Christchurch motel, another nice one, then walked through the park to the museum. 

We looked around then drove down to the cardboard cathedral, just what it sounds like, a temporary one until they can get the real one rebuilt. Two years on the city centre is still trying to rebuild from the devestation of the earthquake in 2012 and the effects of it are everywhere. Lots of buildings are cordoned off because they are unstable or destroyed, and streets are closed. 

The cardboard cathedral

Vicky wanted Mexican for tea but because of Anzac Day both Mexican restaurants were heaving, so we ended up at an Irish pub around the corner. Food was nice though. Then back to the motel to sort out our bags for the flight back to Auckland tomorrow.