Tuesday dawned although we didn't know it 'cos there is no window. As you can see the room is little more than a pod - the brochure boasted that it was innovative and designed to be interesting fun and comfortable within a compact space. It may look large but what you see is the reflection in the mirror alongside the bed!

We set off after breakfast to explore the city - it was pouring with rain and very grey and 15 degrees. We jumped on a tram and did a tour of the city, went to the museum to learn about some maori history and about the early UK settlers.

It was still raining when we came out so it was back onto the tram and on to New Regent Street - just a small street where the houses and shops are mirrored in pastel colours along its length. Quaint little shops - in one top shop the teddies were trying to escape out of the first floor window.

The sun appeared in the afternoon - here are some pictures to show how beautiful it is.

Christchurch Cathedral

The Arts Centre

View of the RiverAvon

As you can see it is very much like any city in the UK - even down to the red buses, McDonalds and Starbucks.

Tomorrow we are off on the trans-alpine train to Greymouth where we pick up our car and travel to the glacier region.