Do you know where Phar Lap was born?

Today we drove from Christchurch to Timaru, 165 k’s down State Highway 1 through the beautiful Canterbury plains, a patchwork of cattle, sheep and wheat farms. We crossed the Rangitata River… a braided river…it all brought back memories of geography classes…from way back when! 

We made a stop at ‘Temuka Homeware’ where a wide range of high-quality household ceramics is made. We all succumbed to temptation; Andrew & I bought a sushi plate and mum & dad made some purchases too.

Next stop was Timaru…constructed on rolling hills created from the lava flows of the extinct Mt Horrible volcano, which last erupted many thousands of years ago. The result is that most of the main streets are undulating, a clear contrast with the flat landscape of the Canterbury Plains that we drove through this morning. The volcanic rock is used for the construction of local "bluestone" buildings.

We took a look at the sculpture of Captain Henry Cain, an important figure in local history who settled in Timaru in 1857. 

There is quite a story to this man. He went to sea at the very young age of 13, became a wealthy trader with interests and property in California and Melbourne. In 1851, he arrived in New Zealand and settled in Timaru in 1857, opening the first landing service in1859. He owned stores in Cain's Terrace, became the Town Mayor and harbour pilot. 
In 1886 he was murdered by poison and was buried in the Timaru Cemetery.
Quite a life!

Cain's son-in-law Thomas Hall was convicted of Cain’s murder by poisoning in 1887, and also of the attempted murder of his wife, Cain’s daughter Kate. At the time of his conviction the judge described Hall as being "The vilest criminal every tried in New Zealand".

From there we visited The Botanic Gardens that house a large rose collection, a fern glade and a lovely Conservatory with Begonias, Orchids and Cactus.

I think this is a Silver Fern.

Look where we found Mum and dad when we returned
 from a walk around the gardens.

Tonight we enjoyed dinner at Monteith’s Bay Hill Restaurant 
overlooking Caroline Bay. 

After dinner we walked across to a lookout where Mum and dad were quite taken with the Matrimonial Bridge…the padlocks have names and dates engraved in them to mark a pledge of eternal love…the padlock is then attached, locked and the key thrown away so that the lock/pledge will never be broken.

I’ll leave you with what I think is an interesting fact ( I think I’m beginning to sound a bit like Sheldon cooper!)… The name Phar Lap is Thai for 'LIGHTNING". Phar Lap was born at a stud farm near Timaru. On the corner of the property where he was born, there is a stone carving of the mighty Phar Lap.