Sunday Brunch

Our time in Christchurch is winding down.  At the end of this month, Bret and I will be leaving Christchurch (and the south island) for good.  Our travels are going to take us up to the north island, for a more laid-back, short(er) term travel experience, sans work.  Therefore, we have been packing our days with as much south island and Christchurch activity before it's time to leave.  Today was no different.  A previously scheduled brunch with the family I nanny for turned into an all-afternoon adventure!

   

First we had brunch at a small café called Cup, which is located in Cashmere, a suburb of Christchurch.  The café was high in the hills, overlooked the whole city, and since it was such a clear day, we were able to see the Southern Alps all the way to the Kaikoura mountain range.  We had a lovely brunch of berry compote French toast, banana pancakes, and a huge platter of NZ breakfast goodies for Kim and Lance.  Baby Evelyn shared my bananas, and was cute as ever.  Originally, following brunch, we were planning on walking up into the hills, but plans changed.

 

Café Cup is at the bottom of the hill

      

Kim's parents own a farm 40 minutes from Christchurch, so we packed into their tiny compact car, and took our first road trip!  The farm was expansive, with lots and lots of land and cattle, and their home (where Kim grew up) was quaint.  The garden, however, was not.  Kim poured us glasses of wine, we packed the baby into the pram (kiwi for stroller), and we took off to tour the garden.  And a tour it was...it went on forever!  Her parents hold weddings in the gardens, and invite bus tours to view the gardens as well.  The garden was about 10 times the size of the average Omaha backyard, at least.  There were areas of just NZ native plants, with a trail and boardwalk similar to those we've found in national parks here, an area designed specifically for weddings, with rose archways, a large gathering area, and a bar, as well as a farm pet cemetery!  There was a rose garden, chicken and dove coops, statue garden, and a gnome and fairy garden.  In the center of all the gardens is a giant fish-filled pond and the paths leading through the gardens were perfectly manicured grass!  Amazing that one woman executed the entire planning of the garden over 30 years.  We took a few pictures and headed back to the city for a much needed nap.

 

At the pond, the kitty that toured with us was trying to figure out how to snatch a fish!