Cnr Canon & Stafford

I had an early appointment in Timaru this morning, leaving behind a beautiful sunny morning after a sharp frost. It is a ten minute drive into town but the fog there was very evident.

The blue building on the left side is a restaurant called Sukhothai. Unfortunately, a very serious fire (our local rag The Timaru Herald called it an inferno) early on Monday morning destroyed the interior. You will notice all the windows are open upstairs, that was a health & beauty spa. It is one of our favourite restaurants; fortunately it is being rebuilt but we will have to go without Thai food for a while.

On the corner of Canon St on the left is Coffee Culture (another of my regular haunts) I was sure the lady in the picture was heading that way. Sure enough, when I went in to get my Mochachino there she was. I needed something to treat myself after what I had endured earlier (& it wasn't the dentist).

This is the main street of Timaru called Stafford Street. Named after a Scot, Edward Stafford. He was elected to represent the Timaru electorate in Parliament in 1868. The first business premises were built of wood but 39 buildings were destroyed when fire swept through the street in 1868. Interestingly, after the fire all buildings were required to be built in local bluestone. (see my blip yesterday). Another interesting piece of information I read was that there were tweve hotels in the mains street, thirsty days.

Enjoy the rest of your day