I’m biased about this one only because I can literally walk (read; stumble) 100m to and from this place, but in all reality, for us out past the boondocks its ideal as there is nothing within shouting distance here, it’s cheap, there’s a playground for the kids, they have the big screen for important events such as rugby, cricket, and Coronation St, and of course the locals, which as "Cheers" has taught us is the clincher.

Commonly known as ‘The RAT’, I love this place as those few times I go there it has a way of making me feel better about myself …aside of a floor which seems to have a fourth dimension to it (booze, vomit, and quite possibly urine) they do on occasion have some great live talent, notwithstanding the drunk octogenarians posing as cougars who seem to have been booted out of the local RSA.

One of the better inner-city places to drink (and dine) spots in CHCH, The Fox Riccarton sort of has become this by default after the earthquakes, and while the beer is on the pricier side, the free viewing of some local talent cannot be ignored. Best avoid business meetings or intimate dinners there on Friday and Saturday nights.

Love Super Bowl? I don’t really, unless the Giants are playing, but the Fox Palms is the place I do go to drink myself into any kind of understanding of the game. Food, like Riccarton is good fare, but becomes a meat-market when us older codgers tend to think about retiring to our slippers and Horlick’s and Jones TV

Where the Waimak meets the ocean is an ideal spot to walk the dogs on sandy beaches as far as the eye can see, and if you have a 4x4 even better as beach access allows you drive north to the Ashley River Mouth as well while the dogs (especially over-excited dumb-**** like my Black Lab) run alongside

Between the bridges of SH1 and the Old Waimak Bridge is an ideal patch of river where dogs of all sizes can run about and swim to their heart’s content. Part of this section (when not in a raging flood) is a shallow, calm pond, and beyond the ‘bar’ the river flows steadily for larger, competent dogs. 4x4’s are ideal, but (non-lowered) cars have no issues either.

Dog Nirvana! Forget the picnic areas and playgrounds, the dog park to the north is everything we wanted as humans, yet the dogs got first. Fenced playpens and obstacle courses complement river accesses for dimming and stick throwing. Treat your pooch!

The best damned rugby club in the world, and the most feared in woodsheds… Ohoka rugby has a long and proud history and fosters talent from a very early age through to Championship-winning JAB Grades, Colts, and two Senior Squads. Club Day at Mandeville is a huge affair which brings the community together for some wins, some losses, and plenty of drinking.

One of NZ’s oldest cricket clubs, SCC is played out of the fortress that is the Swannanoa Domain, sports a 2nd and 3rd Squad which has hosted many local heroes as well as a couple of Black Caps (albeit rather disappointingly). Biggest beer fridge in the tri-state area.

A rag-tag bunch of no-hopers, has-beens and wannabes, The Pukekos are a ‘club within a club’ at Ohoka Rugby. Current and past players band together to tour the country and the world in search of a good game, a lovely local, and a long cold beer. Season fundraisers are legendary!

Best damned java in town, and unique to thew Mainland. Of the franchises Airport and Sydenham kick arse, but the roastery (now in Durham St) is still king of the roast!

Guy’s had a rough time courtesy of the ‘quakes, but still provides some of the best coffee in the country, as is the Canterbury way. Tuam St is an ideal place to go and relax, or have a meeting while watching, hearing, and of course smelling the processes that precede the hiss and flow of machines we are used to.

Thanks to Guy and Paula of C4, Swannanoa School provides freshly brewed coffees and hot chocolates to parents and visitors alike as they drop off their kids. All proceeds go to the school itself, so not only do you get a coffee with love, you help out the kids too…awwww.

Great place to blow a lot of money, every cent worth it. Service top-notch, ambience ideal for impressing the birds, and the food is second to none.

Best curry this side of the Waimak, if not Canterbury. Don’t get too cocky about how hot you like it though, they’ll go to great measures to prove you wrong.

Home of multiple sports clubs including cricket, rugby, netball and squash amongst others…other than club days there is a great feed for under $10.00 on Friday evenings, and booze cheaper than inner-city clubs. Very kid-friendly too.