A bed, a bed - my kingdom for a bed!

There are few physical processes so disconcerting and exhausting to the body as long haul flight. I honestly haven't got a clue what time it is back in Sweden - sometime on Monday morning - here in Christchurch it's just after 6pm on Monday evening. The sun is shining, it's warm, my bike is built and I've got a comfy bed waiting for me in the Dorset House Hostel where I've now settled in.

The journey was long to say the least, but very smooth. Emirates are good and the airbus 800-380 is huge, with good legroom even in "no class" which is where I was of course. Didn't sleep more than about 2 hours in total - of the 45 hours journey time - so a good kip tonight will be appreciated.

I've already got my first hero of the trip. Adrian, the car mechanic at the garage down the street, who helped fix my brake cable which had got detached. A very helpful bloke who also gave me loads of tips on the "driving culture" and road conditions in these parts. Thanks Adrian!

First impressions of Christchurch from the bus journey into town from the airport are of a friendly, vibrant town. Even though it's about 2 years since the devastating earthquakes there are still a lot of community buildings (churches, halls etc) with notices up asking for "donations to help restore". Another interesting and creative solution is the "food containers". In order to get some struggling small businesses back up and running the city council have provided customised containers which can be rented cheap and city workers can buy their lunch and even sit and eat at the benches provided. Smart!

I guess I'll see more tomorrow and especially when I've got 3 nights here at the end of the trip.

The hostel seems fine. Friendly, clean, locked bike storage, good facilities. Though tonight I'll be eating out before collapsing in my bed in the 5-bed shared dorm room. A walk along Victoria St brings me to the Jubilee Clock, in celebration of Queen Victoria's first 60 years in charge. A good area for finding restaurants & bars.

So all is well and "tomorrow we ride" as Louison Bobet used to say to his brother Jean.