A Busman's Holiday

Bedford camper bus

With New Zealand's summer holidays in full swing, the old converted buses, now serving as family campers, are out in force on the roads.

This nicely maintained one was spotted in a quiet suburb in Christchurch. It probably saw service as a country school bus in an earlier career.

The satellite dish is on the house, not the bus's roof.

Christchurch Past & Present #13 - Rangiora

Ashley Street, Rangiora

Some of us plan to be at the cricket in Rangiora today, a small town a short distance north of Christchurch.

Here are some views of Rangiora about a century ago. They were mailed back to England by a new immigrant involved in the retail tailoring and clothing industry.

High Street, Rangiora

The "x" on the Ashley Street postcard view marks where he lived while in Rangiora, the "x" on the far right in the High Street view, the shop he worked in. He later moved north to Tauranga and then Auckland to complete his time in the retail trade before leaving, perhaps, to return to England.

The Post Office, Rangiora

A Day at the Cricket

There's nothing like a day at the cricket when the weather is warm & sunny as it was Sunday at Christchurch's QEII Village Green.

The Canterbury women's cricket team, here in the field, lost their one day game by seven wickets to the Northern Spirit. Wilkins and Browne, both batting when this photo was taken, each scored 50 runs + apiece.

Christchurch – Past & Present #12 A Day at New Brighton Beach

Children taking a paddle near the pier, New Brighton, circa 1910

When the New Brighton Pier was opened in 1894 it launched a new phase in seaside holidays at the beach. Gala days were held on the foreshore near the pier. Large crowds turned out, arriving by tram from the city and on occasion by excursion steamers run from Lyttelton. The beach was also used for racing horses until the New Brighton racecourse was built.

Beach crowd viewed from the pier, New Brighton, circa 1910

No one appears to be bathing, instead everyone is dressed up in Sunday best admiring the surf. At least the risk of sunburn and skin cancer are minimized, however uncomfortable the seasiders may be in their clothing.

Christchurch – Past & Present #11 New Brighton Pier

The New Brighton Pier was opened in 1894. It was 210 metres long and six wide. Aside from a promenade along the pier to take in the views of Pegasus Bay, slot machines and penny peep shows provided entertainment.

Gardens along the shoreline, a bandstand, and the ubiquitous tearooms provided other forms of entertainment along with a walk along the sand for parents and paddling or bathing for the young.

The pier deteriorated in the 1950s and was dismantled in 1965.

The new pier was built in 1997, extending out to 300 metres. It is anchored by the New Brighton public library and a cafe. The New Brighton shoreline remains a popular seaside recreational spot for Christchurch residents.

Christchurch – Past & Present #10 New Brighton

Turn of the twentieth century views of the seaside suburb of New Brighton, Christchurch: the pier, Seaview road, the Esplanade, and the River Avon.

A view, circa 1910, looking east towards the sea down Seaview road, a solitary tram coming down the sandy, dusty street on its return run into Christchurch. The pier pavilion may be seen at the end of the road. The store on the front right advertises the Lyttelton Times newspaper and Nelson Moate's tea.

The New Brighton clock tower that now stands at the end of Seaview road in front of the New Brighton public library and the entrance to the new pier.

Travis Swamp Wetland - Ducks

A duck sends out concentric rings or ripple effect on a pond in Travis wetland.

A pair of ducks paddling on an overcast December day.