A COUNTRY ESCAPE

19 -21 November 2014

This personally guided tour will be both historic and interesting. A unique opportunity to visit local artists, rural churches and have exclusive entrée into some of South Canterbury’s most historic homesteads.
Special highlight: a trip up the Rangitata Gorge to remote Mesopotamia Station.

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