In Lyttelton, we don't go through the tunnel unless we have to.

Dentist appointment. Airport. Maybe a funeral, if we liked the person.

But the owners of 10 Cornwall Road are taking things further. They're emigrating to Christchurch.

The paperwork's done. The decisions have been made. We've held a wee farewell and told them to write.

They won't.

Nobody ever does once they're over the hill.

So, reluctantly, Lyttelton needs a new family for this three-bedroom character cottage and it's a cracker.

Set on a low-care 277m² freehold section, it's compact, single-level and full of character. No wasted space, no sprawling section pretending you'll enjoy maintaining it, and an easy walk to the supermarket, cafés, pub and everything else that makes leaving Lyttelton seem unnecessarily complicated.

Inside, the kitchen, dining and living flow together in one open-plan space, with a woodburner for those winter nights when going outside seems like a terrible idea.

There are three bedrooms, one bathroom with the laundry tucked neatly inside, partial double glazing, ceiling insulation and insulation beneath the front of the house. Hot water is gas, as is the kitchen hob.

Outside, you've got decks for coffee, wine or pretending you're going to read that book, plus a garden shed for all the stuff you don't want inside.

And because character homes can occasionally come with too much character, here's the useful bit:

This pre-1935 cottage has been looked after properly.

The independent building report came back clean. The house has been re-levelled, with the floors sitting well within tolerance.

The roof is corrugated iron, the exterior is timber and steel weatherboard

If you already live in Lyttelton, this is how you stay.

If you live in Christchurch, come through the tunnel once.

After that, you'll understand why nobody wants to go back.