Ashburton Town

Ashburton belongs to Canterbury Region and it’s sited on the State Highway 1. This large town is primarily a farming district. Lies between the Rakaia and Rangitata Rivers, Ashburton offers fly fishing as an activity for visitors. In fact, it’s only 86km away from Christchurch and that’s not far for us to take round trip to Christchurch on days off. Nonetheless, I occasionally prefer to hang around in Ashburton to enjoy the calming atmosphere it offered.   

 Some photos taken in the  downtown while staying there...





 Landmark clock tower in the downtown

Methodist Church



Town's sculpture of 'LOVE ME TENDER' by Llew Summers 1994



Memorial statue outside the Ashburton Council Chambers

St Stephen's Anglican Church

A recretional walkway along the main street opposite the retails shops 

Countdown supermarket

I had never visited the Ashburton Domain until the last day before my leaving. Sceneries of colourful flowers and ducks swimming in the pond were captured by my camera.

French Fries, Green Peas and Many More...

During winter in Ashburton, I worked in a frozen food factory. The gigantic factory as if an empire, built on a large piece of land and it operated 24/7 by workers on shifts. I worked on morning shift started 6am until 6pm, total 12 hours of work in a day for 6 days a week.

Among all types of frozen foods included green peas, corns, mixed beans and ice creams, I primarily worked for the category of French fries. I was required to pack, grade or clean the waste potatoes and French fries. Unsurprisingly, I used to see ample of potatoes and French fries almost every day. Sometimes, I was too boring looking at them.

The quality of the potatoes were neccesary to be controlled at initial stage

Frozen French fries in process were sent by the belt

The gadget distributed all the frozen French fries into same amount before packaging

Frozen French fries being graded on the belt

Frozen green peas being graded on the belt

 

Scouting Jobs in Christchurch and Ashburton in Winter

After the traveling for 11 days, my friend Yen and I stayed in Christchurch for a week and we attempted to find some casual jobs. We wanted to stay and work in Christchurch, both of us didn't get any offer except the work from mussel factory though. Urrrh...we couldn't endure the sting smell, so we only tried one day and called an end. During the period, we also helped in hostels in exchange for accommodation. However, we didn't like cleaning works so much, so we looked for other changes.

Before long, I had another chance to work but it’s in Ashburton, a town about an hour drive from Christchurch. The offer was not bad and I accepted it. At least I knew that I have an opportunity to explore another place in South Island. 

I still remember that I spent the first snowy day in Christchurch, so excited! Looking out from the window, children were playing snows happily. Few days later, I left this beautiful city to Asburton for a new work.

On the bus, I saw snows everywhere and they made stunning snowy sceneries that I had never seen before.

When I just arrived in Ashburton after an hour journey, it’s only 3 degrees Celsius :0

3 degree Celsius in the morning in Ashburton

Car topped with sonws