Christchurch reflects its English heritage. Punt rides are available on the Avon River, which meanders through the city centre. On its banks are cycling paths, the green expanse of Hagley Park and Christchurch Botanic Gardens. Old English architecture neighbours the botanical Garden in Christ College and The Arts Centre – Te Matatiki Toi Ora.
The historic nature of Christchurch could not be better represented than by this street-side sign at 2 Cambridge Terrace
When you walk into the shop, this collection of old school jackets and matching straw hats greets you with a sensation that tradition lives here.
City Hall sits proudly on the banks of the Avon, as the river meanders in it’s park-like setting through the city.
Two lovely ladies enjoy the park-like setting of the Avon,
as a black swan drifts by,
and a group of Canada geese rests in the shade!
As we progress to the Botanical Garden, we see the Peacock Fountain with the Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora behind.
Christ’s College, a private school for boys that opened in 1851 still conducts classes in the same historic buildings.
The name of the Old Boys Theatre at Christ’s College is evocative of times gone by! An Old Boy is an alumnus, a term for a high school graduate that probably fell out of favour a very long time ago!
The Chapel at Christ’s College reflects its 1851 origins!
This Sequoiadendron giganteum or Giant Redwood was planted in 1873 making it 150 years old, just a youngster for a redwood!
This Hesperocyparis macrocarpa or Monterey cypress is likely of similar age. Gnarly Monterey cypresses like this one have been popularized in American literature as being 1,000 to 2,000 years old. In truth the oldest age ever recorded for this species is 284 years. There are several specimens of Monterey cypress in New Zealand of similar age to the one in the photo. They seem to do better here than at home, where they usually don’t live past 100 years.
Grampafacts 