The joys of a local weekend
OPINION: In my endless search for worthy places to visit across the South Island, I had overlooked those on Christchurch’s doorstep.
My partner Josie and I recently moved to Heathcote Valley, a suburb on the city-side of the Lyttelton tunnel, known for its microclimate and hill views.
Keen to acquaint ourselves with the local area, we pulled out the bikes, pumped up the tyres, and set off to see what we could find. Disclaimer: we didn’t wear helmets – shock, horror. I spent a number of high school years in The Netherlands where helmets bordered on a faux-pas, I’m comfortable with it. Plus, Heathcote’s semi-rural vibe oozes road safety and family friendliness.
Five minutes from our house on Port Hills Rd is the entrance to Ferrymead Golf Course, next to the Heathcote River. Behind a chain link gate we found an earthen path leading along the riverbank. The scenery was reminiscent of the Dutch canals and rural areas of my youth, stacked with wetland plants and long-beaked birds.
The river flowed at a leisurely pace towards the estuary, as did we, looping back towards the Ferrymead shops, past tree swings and dense pine, before crossing a bridge probably not designed for bicycles.
We pulled in for a coffee at ten27, a popular Ferrymead cafe teeming with Saturday brunch punters and fellow cyclists, albeit they were helmet-clad and hardcore. Josie’s shiny, blue bike fitted nicely alongside the flashy road bikes in the rack. That was where the similarity with our two-wheeled friends ended however, hindered in no small part by my rust-bucket of a second-hand bike, which we’ve been told is at least 60 years old.
We made our way back home along Bridle Path Rd, past the Heathcote Valley Riding School where children rode horses in circles, past the Ferrymead Heritage Park, past the community church where Christmas trees are maturing, ready to be chopped and displayed in Heathcote homes in, yes, five months time.
Craving more local scenery, we drove up into Mt Pleasant, keen to gander across the valley and pick out our place from a height. Off Rockview Pl we found the entrance to Heathcote Quarry Reserve. The path was closed after the earthquakes but was once popular with rock climbers and steep-path enthusiasts. We ventured about 100 metres past the ‘‘closed’’ sign to peek over the edge. We spotted our house, revelled in our newfound part of Christchurch, and drove home buzzing about further local adventures.
Where’s your favourite secret spot in Christchurch worthy of a write up? Flick me an email on jack.fletcher@stuff.co.nz and Josie and I will check it out!