Clan Donald Canterbury’s Weekend Away 28-30th September 2018
Each year Clan Donald Canterbury go on an away weekend. These weekends are a lot of fun and provide a great opportunity to get to know other members and build strong friendships. This helps in keeping the society strong. In previous years we have visited Blenheim, Hanmer Springs, Ashburton, Dunedin, Geraldine, Rangiora and Oamaru. This year 14 members went to the small North Canterbury country township of Cheviot which is just over 110 kms north of Christchurch.
We stayed two nights at the Cheviot Motel and Holiday Park which is located on the edge of the town set in peaceful countryside. The site is 5 acres containing beautifully landscaped grounds and garden. Neighbouring paddocks contained sheep and lambs.
You know you are in the country when a local farmer drives a small mob of ewes and lambs right past the motel.
First event arranged by our Secretary, Margaret Donald was Mt Beautiful wine tasting which was held at The Twin River Café in Cheviot.
Pictured at the Wine Tasting (Left to right) Irvine Kinraid, Ann Smith, Margaret Donald, Heather Bastida, Sally Wihone.
Back row, Alison Kinraid, Alan MacDonald, Helen Ring, Christine and Elwyn Martin.
Saturday the 29th September was a gorgeous spring day which was spent in Kaikoura. It was interesting to see the work completed (and still underway) on SH1 and the main rail line required as a result of the November 2016 earthquake. We had lunch in Kaikoura and visited various areas around town.
View overlooking Kaikoura town with the Seaward Kaikoura Range in the background.
Saturday night dinner at the Cheviot Hotel. Pictured left to right. Alison Kinraid, Irvine Kinraid, Heather Bastida, Sally Wihone, Valerie Bright, Ian Bright, Helen Ring and Ann Smith.
On Sunday morning we played bowls at the Cheviot Bowling Club before returning to Christchurch.
Pictured at the Cheviot Bowling Club. Front row (left to right). Elwyn Martin, Helen Ring, Ann Smith, Alan MacDonald
Back row (left to right). Andrew Muskee, Margaret Donald, Ian Bright, Christine Martin, Sally Wihone, Raewyn Hinton, Valerie Bright, Irvine Kinraid.
The Old Leithfield Hotel
On the way back to Christchurch we stopped for lunch at the historic Leithfield Hotel where we were joined by Clan Donald Canterbury members, Cath and Bob Lyall. After lunch and watching the All Blacks play Argentina on the large tv screen in the bar, we said our goodbyes and headed our separate ways home. We all agreed it had been another enjoyable weekend away and our thanks go to Margaret Donald for her work in arranging the accommodation and events.