After checking out of the Airbnb, we go to Black & White Coffee Cartel for a couple coffees and muffins for breakfast

Needing lots of fuel today, we also collect a to-go coffee each from Café at The Complex

To split up the drive a little, we stretch our legs at Rakaia to see the town’s attempt to put themselves on the tourist map: Rakaia’s Iconic Salmon

We make it into Christchurch and it’s pouring it down

There’s a couple hours before we can check into our hotel for the evening so we go to Willowbank Wildlife Reserve

We fuel up with some lunch of a pulled pork ciabatta and some chips before venturing round the park in the rain

They have a variety of animals: from fallow deer to muscovy ducks in the initial section, wallabies and capybaras in the next and we’re treated to some up close interactions with kea and kererūs they have

We of course love the otters but, while here, notice some sad news about this evening – they’ve cancelled the fireworks and the event being held in Hagley Park ????

Either way, we finish at the wildlife reserve and drive to Wyndham Garden Christchurch City where we park, check in, have a brief chill and then get ready and head out

To get started, we have a drink at Riverside Cantina while trying to work out a plan for this evening

It seems everywhere is fully booked or shutting down so we go to another food court to try

Little High Eatery has a smaller collection of food stalls but it’s rather jaunty and a lot busier than Riverside Market

We get a meat platter for two and a cheeky bottle of brut

As the fireworks have been cancelled, we decide to head to a pub we found before that’s hosting a sort of party

The Bog has some live music going on and reasonably priced drinks so we’re here for the rest of the evening

Happy new year everyone!!