DAY ONE
Wednesday 19 November Christchurch - Geraldine
8.45am – Coach departs from Christchurch
(departure point to be advised).
We then travel south to Geraldine for morning coffee
with Lee and Bill Burdon at Witton Lodge, their
impressively restored homestead and garden.
From here we will carry on to Kakahu Farm to have
lunch with Tom and Anna, the third generation of the
Hargreaves family, who are still enhancing the
extensive garden and farming the property.
After a drive over the picturesque Geraldine Downs
to Pleasant Valley, we will reach the oldest wooden
church in South Canterbury, St Anne’s – Bill Burdon
and Lynne Woods will be your guides here.
On to Geraldine where we will have afternoon tea at
St Mary’s in Geraldine.
There will be time then to explore this delightful
town and maybe visit two excellent art galleries
plus the Giant Jersey, craft shops etc.
At 5.30pm we will take you to your motels.
7.15pm - Dinner at a Geraldine restaurant
Overnight – Scenic Route or Andorra Motels,
Geraldine
DAY TWO
Thursday 20 November Geraldine -Peel Forest -Rangitata
Gorge
9.00am – Coaches leave from the motels
We begin today with an easy drive to Peel Forest
where we will be entertained by Graham and Robin
Carr at historic Peel Forest Estate. Graham will
also take you to his deer complex and explain its
workings.
St Stephen’s in Peel Forest is our next stop –
another early wooden church with beautiful windows.
Simon and Kate Martin will be here to meet us and
tell the history.
We continue up the Rangitata Gorge through the
original totara and kahikatea bush to Mesopotamia
Station, well known as the home of Samuel Butler.
The day finishes with Rosemary and John Acland at
their new house in Geraldine for a glass of wine.
7.15pm – Dinner at Verde Café, Geraldine.
Overnight – Scenic Route or Andorra Motels,
Geraldine.
DAY THREE
Friday 21 November Geraldine – Woodbury - Christchurch
Our first visit today is to the delightful
village of Woodbury, where we will be guided through
the stone Church of St Thomas’ by Philip Burdon We
then head up the Waihi Gorge to have morning coffee
with Eve and Jimmy Wallace at Sundrum, their
Edwardian brick homestead designed by Herbert Hall
in 1910.
A leisurely stroll through the property brings us to
a young garden created amongst the native bush by
neighbours Bindy and Steve Dakin. Here we will have
the opportunity to see their harnessed ponies in
action.
Lunch will be at Orari Gorge homestead where the
rhododendrons and azaleas will be in full flower.
You will hear the interesting history of this
property from the owners, Rosa and Graham Peacock.
The final visit will be to Capricorns, the home of
Ros and Philip Burdon, where the sculptures by
Andrew Drummond in this colourful woodland garden
are a “must see”.
Travel back to Christchurch where we are due to
arrive at 6.00pm (venue to be advised).
This is only the general framework of the tour to
give you an idea of the calibre of our visits, and it is
possible that some minor changes may be made. On arrival
you will be given a detailed bound itinerary.
The cost will cover:
- Travel by luxury coach.
- Continental breakfast ,refreshments, dinner,
lunches with selected wines
- Admission to all properties.
- Quality accommodation on a share twin basis
- You will have very well informed guides with you
at all times
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