Backroader: Holiday adventure

What crazy weather during my first week back home - stinking hot one day and the next cool and rainy. Looks like the wind is getting up over the weekend so glad that I'm home to keep an eye on the shade house.

The Weather Gods blessed us with fine weather for our road trip although this southern lass prefers the coolness of her island - it's easy to put clothes on but there's a limit to how much I can take off when it's too hot!

First stop away was Christchurch: I stayed at the Garden View B&B in Rolleston where hosts Beth and John Keoghan went out of their way for me and our family. I'm definitely a 'raving fan' of their fantastic customer service; proved by arriving as strangers and leaving as friends; what more could one want!! (all links open in a new window)

The beautiful setting at Garden View Bed & Breakfast

Today marks the third anniversary of the devastating February earthquake and it's testament to the resilience of Cantabrians to see the recovery kicking in with more rebuilding now than demolition. A tour around the city was sobering as empty spaces dominated the landscape but the rebuild seeds are sprouting as Christchurch rises once again. One of these projects is The Tannery in Woolston, a Victorian arcade treasure being developed by the Cassels Family - more info on the project can be found on Stuff.co.nz's website here.

Lovely boutique shops line both sides of the arcade

Delectable edibles in the cake shop window

Teddy cars - special treats for birthday parties

Another impressive project is the Faringdon residential development in Rolleston; a planned 20-stage 80ha subdivision of over 1000 sections and a community of around 4000. The developed areas are well-planned with green belts and playgrounds, wide streets and fibre broadband.