11-12 Nov 2017
We had a relaxed Saturday after the epic Friday with the Powers, including a walk up the hill overlooking their farm Tenterden Downs.
We drove into Christchurch on Saturday afternoon. This was our first visit in twenty years, so it was a huge shock to actually see the effects of the 2010 earthquake. There are large housing areas in which buildings no longer exist, with just the gardens remaining and eerily mown empty grass plots. There are still building sites in the centre where reconstruction hasn’t yet begun, but the saddest sight is undoubtedly the cathedral, with the rusting steel supports holding up the shattered structure.
 |
| Christchurch Cathedral |
But there are of course new buildings being completed, and we had a pleasant drink in the sunshine at a new bar complex, before Rich and Mez went off to their dinner engagement. Jess and I wandered down to Hagley Park and back, grabbed a noodle supper with BYO at “Chopsticks” and then had an early night at Rich & Mez’s comfortable townhouse.
Sun 12 Oct
We collected our cheapo hire car from Ace Rental, and took ourselves on a drive north to Kaikoura. There is still considerable damage to the main Highway 1 from the Kaikoura earthquake exactly 12 months ago, with at least 20 sections of major construction where the road has collapsed into the river valley. Top tip from Rich; we parked by the racecourse and walked up and over the hill into Kaikoura for a cuppa and to admire the views of the coastline.
 |
| South Pacific Ocean from Kaikoura |
 |
| View on Internal Road with landslips |
We took the amazing “Internal Road” back to the Powers’, and enjoyed a delicious last dinner of barbecued lamb.
Mon 13 Oct
 |
| Morag, Emma, Jess, Rich & Mez |
We finally had to wave a fond farewell to our lovely Power hosts and made our way south to Queenstown, pausing to swap the car in Christchurch as I was fussing about the various broken items... Managed to get an upgrade though!
The drive to Queenstown is absolutely stunning. We began in drizzle, but as we reached the half-way point in Fairlie (where there is conveniently a superb pie-shop; another Rich top tip!) the sun came out and provided fantastic views of Lake Tekapo and Mount Cook. The only struggle was the 100kph speed limit, and watching out for Mackenzie Country cops.
 |
| Lake Tekapo |
 |
| Roast Pork & Apple pie with crackling top |
 |
| On the road 1 |
 |
| On the road 2 |
 |
On the road 3
|
 |
Mount Cook
|
We reached Arrowtown (15km north east of Queenstown) at 5pm where Claire and Andy Brinsley have their lovely house in glorious countryside. Andy took us for a well-needed walk to admire the evening views and stretch the legs after all day in the car, and then it was catch-up time over dinner.
 |
| Another “flat walk” |
 |
| View from the house |
Comments
Post a Comment