Mini Fendalton House is so called because I have moved to a smaller place after over fourteen years of hosting in my big old house.

My new house is smaller and warmer, and has one very nice ensuite bedroom available downstairs for guests. It has a super-king bed which is very comfortable.

It is on a quiet back section, and is all double glazed. We are a short ten minute drive to the town centre, and just over ten minutes to the airport, and have a bus stop at the gate, a useful landmark.
I am still able to look after my guests as I did before and look forward to seeing some of my old friends again. Breakfast is the same great selection and includes lots of fruit, and a large choice of cooked dishes, bacon and eggs, French toast etc.

The house retains its typical Christchurch atmosphere, and is situated in a lovely suburb near the university and near Medbury, a fee paying primary school for boys.

Just down the road is Riccarton Bush, which is a very special and protected bit of the original Christchurch vegetation. Riccarton Bush has two historic residences, Riccarton House, which has a lunch time cafe, and beside it, the tiny Deans cottage built by one of the first settlers here, around the mid 1800's.

Recommended by "Frommers Guide to New Zealand" (USA) and "The Rough Guide to New Zealand" (UK).

Your Host:

A third generation New Zealander, I was born and bred in the Canterbury area. I grew up on a back country farm with my three sisters and brother, later moving to Christchurch, and then Dunedin, where I studied at the University of Otago.

I was a science teacher at St Andrew's private school for boys for 15 years.

I have two adult children. My daughter Kate followed in my mother's footsteps to become NZ Women's Ski Champion for most of the period between 1980 and 1990, and represented New Zealand at two Winter Olympic Games - Sarajevo (1984) and Calgary (1988).

My son Tim runs a computer business in Melbourne, Australia. Both Kate and Tim now have children of their own.

My interests include Bridge, skiing, theatre, films, good food and wine, and of course good company!

I am always happy to help guests plan their sightseeing and touring, with my lifetime of knowledge of Christchurch and the Canterbury area. I also have extensive knowledge of accommodation and points of interest throughout New Zealand, and can help with forward bookings and travel plans.

I keep an extensive selection of local restaurant menus to help you choose where to eat.

About Christchurch:

The peaceful city of Christchurch reflects its colonial past, with old-world English-style architecture blended with a uniquely New Zealand character. Many beautifully preserved gothic and classical buildings in the central city are complemented by tree-lined avenues, the meandering Avon River, and lovely parks and gardens.

A thriving artistic community supports cafés, restaurants, bars, theatre, art galleries, music and much more. Combine this with adjacent hills, mountains and beaches, and ski fields an easy drive away, and Christchurch is one of the most attractive tourist destinations in the world.

An abundance of cultural and adventure activities are available using Christchurch as a base, including:

In Christchurch

• Casino
• Punting
• Gondola
• Museum
• Cathedral
• Art Galleries
• Court Theatre
• Airforce World
• Antarctic Centre
• Historic tramway
• Hot Air Ballooning
• Orana Wildlife Park
• Night of Maori Magic
• Restaurants, bars and cafés
• Christchurch Sightseeing Tours
• Mona Vale historic house and public gardens
• Willowbank Wildlife Reserve (kiwis and wildlife)

Surrounding Area:

• Golf
• Fishing
• Jetboating
• Ski Fields
• Horse trekking
• Hot air ballooning
• Hanmer hot springs
• Tranz Alpine Railway
• Akaroa French village
• Vineyard trails and wine tasting
• Kaikoura - whales, dolphins and seals