Clan Donald Canterbury’s Weekend Away 1st – 3rd October 2021
In line with our recent annual weekends away, we again chose to visit one of our local areas. This year we based ourselves in the country town of Amberley which is fifty kms north of Christchurch. While Amberley’s previous focus was on rural services, it has now become a tourism and lifestyle destination. It is the gateway to the Hurunui District and only twelve kms from the well regarded Waipara wine region.
On Friday 1st October, we commenced our weekend by meeting at the Torlesse Winery at Waipara. We enjoyed the fabulous food platters which accompanied the wine tasting before travelling back to Amberley where we stayed at the Amberley Motel for two nights. Friday night we had our traditional takeaway meals followed by quizzes and some very amusing jokes provided by Ian Bright.
Enjoying the wine tasting at Torlesse Winery. Pictured left to right, Jill Tomlinson, Maggie Donald, Ian and Valerie Bright, Raewyn Hinton and Andrew Muskee.
Pictured at Torlesse Winery, Elwyn Martin, Alan MacDonald and Ann Smith.
Saturday morning was a free morning with Clan members visiting the Amberley Market, local shops, and cafes.
Lunch in the sunshine at Brew Moon, Amberley. Pictured (left to right) Valerie and Ian Bright, Raewyn Hinton, Brent and Jill Tomlinson, Sally Wihone, Andrew Muskee, Maggie Donald and Ann Smith.
After lunch at the Brew Moon, we travelled to the Iron Ridge Quarry Sculpture Park which is set in a vast amphitheatre carved out of the limestone hills of Waipara when operating as a quarry. Sculpturer, Raymond Herber has transformed the rocky white bowl he bought 20 years ago into a beautifully landscaped park overlooking the Waipara River valley. This provides a stunning exhibition space for Raymond’s work which ranges from large sculptures of great beauty to quirky and humorous pieces.
At the Iron Ridge Quarry Sculpture Park. Back row (left to right) Alan MacDonald, Andrew Muskee, Raewyn Hinton, Valerie and Ian Bright, Brent Tomlinson, Elwyn Martin. Front row. Sally Wihone, Helen Ring, Ann Smith, Maggie Donald, Jill Tomlinson and Jeanette Beatty (Note Raymond’s friendly cat has joined the photo!).
Iron Ridge Quarry Sculpture Park
Iron Ridge Quarry Sculpture Park
Raymond Herber demonstrates how to get a free haircut using his Snipper Cycle.
Saturday night dinner at the Railway Hotel, Amberley. (Left to right) Maggie Donald, Raewyn Hinton and Valerie Bright.
Helen Ring is delighted with her meal
Pictured left to right, Ian Bright, Andrew Muskee, Ann Smith and Sally Wihone.
On Sunday morning we headed home to Christchurch, stopping for brunch at The Better Half Café.
It was another enjoyable Clan weekend away and again highlighted how much there is to see and do in our own backyard. Thank you to Margaret Donald and Ann Smith for their work in arranging a wonderful weekend away.