The Bridle Path (and other adventures)
A Steep and Narrow Path
C. Warren Adams had followed immigrants in the first four ships aboard the Canterbury in 1851, arriving “on a magnificent spring morning”. He describes how he and his companions were “not in the best condition” for climbing the Bridlepath after four months at sea.
The bridlepath [is] a steep and narrow road leading directly over the rise of hills at the back of the town, to the ferry across the Heathcote on the way to Christchurch. It is altogether inaccessible for carts; and from its excessive steepness, small loads only can be carried over by packhorses. The ascent is upwards of a mile in length, and the descent on the other side is about the same. The ferry is then two miles distant; and from thence the road to Christchurch, about four miles in length, is good and level.
…we began to toil slowly up this much-celebrated path. The road was steep and slippery; and after our four months’ saunter over the level deck of the Canterbury, we were not in the best possible condition for a mountaineering expedition…The southern wind was blowing with all its vehemence…At length we reached the summit and were able to gaze upon the plains beyond. The appearance was anything but inviting. The mountains in the distance were completely hidden by the thick rain; and the dreary swampy plain, which formed the foreground beneath our feet, might extend, for aught we could see, over the whole island.
The town of Christchurch likewise was, for the most part, concealed by the hill on the left; and the small woebegone houses which met our view increased rather than diminished the desolate appearance of the landscape…we faced about to return home.
This however was not a very easy task. Enclosed in a sort of funnel, formed by the tops of two hills and suffering under a heavier squall than usual, it was a matter of considerable difficulty to keep our footing at all. However, it was useless to seek shelter there, and more over it was getting late, and our dinner was waiting.
Source: C. Warren Adams, A Spring in the Canterbury Settlement, London, 1853.
Canterbury Museum Documentary Research Centre
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