Things are good as well as bad

It's been pointed out to me by close family (the Cantabrian side of the family I hasten to point out) that I can be a little negative about Christchurch in this blog. I also do something, Liz highlighted a few days ago, that I really don't like other people doing ... I'm generalising.

Yes ... the man that will slap you down in a blink of an eye when anyone comes out with sweeping statements has, in the recent past, said:

No-one seems to go anywhere on the weekend. I mean, what do they all do? In Wellington most people go away, say over the hill, and get a different perspective on life

Not good eh?
And wrong on so many levels.

So, to even it up a little here's the very cool stuff I've discovered in Christchurch:

• The original facades of the older buildings are very cool - I love wandering the old parts of the town
• The gardens ("parks") are excellent and will only get better with the coming of summer
• Generally people are up for banter and not stuck up at all
• It's flat and therefore great for bikes ... I might even get one when the weather's a bit better
  There ya go Mat, I've said it :-)
• It has all the facilities you'd want
• The street grid system does mean that if I'm lost keeping walking one way and eventually a junction will appear giving me hope and options
• Jade Stadium is good value
• When the services people supply are good they tend to be very good - the mid-wifery service for example is far superior than that in Wellington
• The history (Victorian mainly) is treasured and people are proud of it
• Not far from the hill(s), seaside, ports and interesting scenery
• International airport ... truly, international and not just flights to Aussie
• Markets - there are some markets to wander around. Love it
• Walking around The Arts Centre (ex-Uni) lets me pretend I'm at Hogwarts
• There is stuff happening here
• Awesome beer (best in NZ) at The Twisted Hop
• Brilliant social club here at work (MOA)
  RT - this is what we wanted!

There ya go ... how's that?