Le Race is a challenging 100km cycling event that is definitely not for the faint-hearted!

Ridden by pros and amateurs alike, Le Race begins with the tolling bells of Christchurch Cathedral and ends somewhere between three and six hours later in the beautiful French-inspired settlement of Akaroa.

Highlights include the uphill ride through Cashmere, the infamous short but sharp ascent 'The Ramp' and the exhilarating, fast downhill finish.

There are plenty of opportunities along the way to provide spectator support and cheer on those who race to win and those who race simply to say 'I did it!'

Largest exhibition garden in

Ellerslie’s 15-year history

Multi award-winning Chelsea Flower Show designer Chris Beardshaw has designed and will build the largest ever exhibition garden in the 15-year history of the Ellerslie International Flower Show at this year’s Show.

Stretching 12 metres across the shore of Victoria Lake, it will extend 64 metres into the showgrounds and is guaranteed to be a real show-stopper, says Ellerslie International Flower Show Exhibition Manager Kate Hillier.

“With almost 10,000 plants, including 4500 annuals and 3000 herbaceous plants, this magnificent English garden will have loads of colour and plenty of fragrance, making it a real feast for all the senses.”

Chris Beardshaw is renowned for his formal English garden designs, having won nine Gold and Silver Gilt Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) medals, as well as many Best in Show and People’s Choice Awards and the coveted RHS Tudor Rose Award.

He says his Ellerslie 2010 garden will be positioned between two grand Poplar trees on the shore of Victoria Lake, borrowing from the surrounding landscape to make the garden look like it goes on forever.

The garden will have multiple viewpoints but one main axis.

“You will stand with your toes being tickled by the herbaceous perennials looking west through a formal garden with a grand lawn leading down to a Victorian portico with classical references.

“The borders will be 3.6 metres wide, punctured with trees and shrubs so as you look towards the lake there will be a kind of rhythm in the way the structure unfolds. Underneath will be a swath of tapestry planting combinations.

“The first section will be hedged and then opening through wrought iron gates the garden will feature plants usually found in bright, sunny regions and lead up to the portico with potted palms and citrus fruits.”

Chris says in the open-sided portico there will be sculpture and tender exotics. The portico will lead on to the second part of the garden which will be more informal.

“A close mown lawn will lead down to the edge of the lake. On either side, long grass will be peppered with perennial wildflowers and punctured with topiaried trees and informal plantings of rhododendrons, camellias, Japanese maples and ferns. This section of the garden will be more relaxed and less contrived.”

Chris says Ellerslie is not the biggest show garden he has designed. Three years ago he designed a 50m x 50m garden for Hampton Court, demonstrating to schools how they could use their outdoor spaces for learning opportunities. This garden won Gold, Best in Show and the Royal Horticultural Society’s Tudor Rose Award.

Ellerslie International Flower Show is New Zealand’s premier week-long Garden Party in Christchurch’s North Hagley Park from 10 to 14 March 2010. The Show celebrates Christchurch’s Garden City heritage and the best of national and international garden design. Check out the website for further information www.ellerslieflowershow.co.nz

Don't forget to book your rental car early!

Christchurch will see some great action during the Rugby World Cup in 2011.
 
In Christchurch and Canterbury, rugby is more than just a game - it's part of who we are.  Now we want to repay the incredible generosity the game has shown us over the last 127 years by hosting teams, supporters and fans from around the world to an unforgettable Rugby World Cup 2011 experience.

Five pool matches will be hosted in the city, building up to the excitement of the two Christchurch quarter finals in early October.

Only 45,000 will be able to attend a game at AMI Stadium Christchurch.

Accommodation and rental car hire will be at a premium – BOOK EARLY!

AMI Stadium Christchurch Match Schedule

Saturday 10 September	Argentina vs. England
Sunday 11 September	Australia vs. Italy
Sunday 18 September	England vs. Europe 1
Sunday 25 September	Argentina vs. Scotland
Saturday 1 October	Australia vs. Europe 2
Saturday 8 October	QF2: W Pool B vs. RU Pool A
Sunday 9 October	QF4: W Pool A vs. RU Pool B

The Wildfood Festival, based at Hokitika on the South Island's West Coast is an annual celebration of unusual, interesting and innovative food.

Started by local woman Claire Bryant, the first event in 1990 also coincided with the 125th anniversary of the birth of Hokitika.

The festival has grown year on year since its inception - 1,800 people attended the inaugural event, with visitor numbers in excess of 15,000 last year.

New wild foods are included every year, as well as the old favourites such as whitebait fritters or for the more adventurous, New Zealand's very own huhu grub.

Every two years at Easter, stunning Lake Wanaka is the venue for one of the world's most spectacular air shows. 

Warbirds Over Wanaka has its roots back in 1988, when Tim Wallis, an aviation entreprenuer introduced an airshow as part of a country fair.  Over 14,000 people attended and Warbirds Over Wanaka was born.

Now, over 80,000 people make the biennial pilgrimage to be entertained by over 60 aircraft and take in the atmosphere as the lakeside town of Wanaka comes alive.

The  Brazier Properties Girls on Bikes is a women's only road cycling event. Set in the iconic Canterbury township of Methven the options of a 37km or 76km course will cater for every level of cycling from the absolute beginner right through to the elite athlete with recreational and registered rider categories.

The post event celebrations will begin with the "Girls on Bikes Life Guard Competition" followed by prize giving where loads of fantastic prizes will be given away along with acknowledgement of the place getters.

The evening extravaganza is "The Outrageous Night Out  with Robyn Malcolm" features wine and cheese tasting, fashion show, wine making guru Jules Taylor and of course a catch-up with one of New Zealand's top actresses Robyn Malcolm.
The following day Methven puts on one of its famous "Methven Market Day's "

The award winning Forrest Grape Ride is the biggest road cycling event in the South Island.