For day 15 we were staying in Christchurch but went for a drive to Lyttelton - a port town about 10km south-east of Christchurch. Lyttelton is a busy, active port but also had a selection of boutique and specialty shops that gave the town a really nice feel. We only spent a couple of hours here but could have stayed longer. Lyttelton is the port town that cruise ships used to dock in on stopovers for Christchurch, but that has ceased since the 2011 earthquake.
We left a very grey and rainy Akaroa for the 100+km trip to what would work out as a very sunny but cool Christchurch. Sun making a valiant effort to shine through near Lake Ellesmere Part of the view from our apartment. The interesting hand/face thing is part of the Art Gallery That's got to hurt! One view of the Anglican Cathedral damaged in the 2011 earthquake And a closer view
Akaroa, with limited comment What town is complete without a slightly unkemp pétanque/bocce terrain? Cloud coming over the mountains Still coming French influence More French Looking back down the main pier Apparently the lighthouse was relocated to its present position - here for show rather than safety Surely one of the creepiest children's toys? Akaroa from Childrens Bay
Day 12 - the three quarter mark through our holiday was the longest drive of our trip - from Murchison to Akaroa. We started in the mountains, with deep gorges, plantation pine forests and snowy peaks followed by a lunch stop in Culverden then through the outskirts of Christchurch and finally winding down to the east coast at Akaroa. In the Hurunui Region at St James Walkway The Waiau River approaching Culverden Culverden Coffee Akaroa
Day 11 was a relaxing one - spent in the town of Murchison in the central north region of the South Island. These days Murchison is something of a hub for white-water enthusiasts - being at the junction of a couple of rivers. In 1929 it was the scene of an earthquake that took 17 lives. Near the centre of town is a memorial comprised of some stones. Part of the plaque reads:
We awoke to a fairly grey and overcast day in Picton and headed south-east through Blenheim and St Arnaud to Murchison. A peaceful trip, not much traffic, and a great lunch at the Alpine Lodge in St Arnaud. Our grey morning in Picton Still grey - looking towards the main street. Pretty even when overcast The Anglican Community Church in Wairau Valley I was taken by the simplicity yet profound message of this headstone in the Community Church cemetery The Mount Richmond Forest Park just north of St Arnaud
The ferry trip from Wellington to Picton was fantastic. The scenery leaving Wellington was equally matched by the scenery entering Picton. Now that's a ferry! Picton from the ferry
Day 8 - the half way mark saw us spend much of the day wandering around Wellington. Here are some samples: Looking like something out of Star Wars Spiral Man (or is is a Woman?) Weird but cool art installation! Did someone say cake? 2013 redux
Day 7 saw us begin the day overlooking Napier from the Bluff Hill Lookout above Napier Port before heading south for Wellington. We opted for SH 2 through Waipukurau and Dannevirke before cutting across towards Palmerston North and down the west coast to Wellington on SH 57 and SH 1. Napier from Bluff Hill Lookout Napier Port from behind some spooky purple flowers Snow-capped peaks looking north over Hawks Bay Queen Elizabeth Park on the way to Wellington
Day 6 was spent in Napier and surrounds - from Cape Kidnappers to Hastings. Napier 'beach' from our motel balcony Cape Kidnappers cliffs from Clifton From Clifton looking north to Napier