YIC has arrived in Christchurch New Zealand. The city is obviously keen on its Oxbridge links. There is a Cambridge Terrace and an Oxford Terrace flanking the river Avon, and an old college building with a couple of Quads that is now the Arts Centre. It doesn't have quite the ring of Oxford about it, though possibly the Poly in the Fens (Cambridge) might be closer to it. Stop press - a source close to YIC (Rev T) informs him that Cambridge has "Courts" rather than "Quads". So it isn't Cambridge either...
YIC is staying at a youth hostel (because of course he is still part of the youth of today) next to the Botanical Gardens and Park, which is very handy for his morning run. This allows him to burn off the beer from the night before (on the odd occasion that he has a half of shandy when the weather is very hot). So far he has discovered Monteith's beer, and can report that their Summer Ale is OK. But as ever, he remains unstinting in his quest for other ales - greater love hath no man etc.
Sunday - the quest goes on. Thanks to a tip from Chris Smith, YIC visited The Twisted Hop, a brewhouse that produces real ale - hurrah! The Goldings Bitter at 3.7% ABV is an excellent light hoppy beer. In fact, it's so good, that YIC might have to call there again, strictly to check that they are keeping the ale to a high quality.
YIC attended communion at the cathedral this morning. As it was Epiphany, he belted out good hymns such as "O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness" and "As with gladness men of old". The cathedral was very welcoming, with tea in the visitors centre afterwards.