To get to Akaroa, we first had to reach Christchurch, the South Island’s biggest city. Beyond Christchurch is Banks Peninsula. This rocky peninsula is the remains of a couple of volcanoes that were active in millennia past when NZ was formed. Both volcanic craters are now natural harbours, and Akaroa is the second of these. The road out from Christchurch follows Lake Grassmere for a while, then ascends the ancient lava folds, winding up and around, then down through hair-pin bends, and up again. Akaroa is reached after over 50 miles of this often narrow and winding road. Priscilla’s place is in Wainui, high up a twisting gravel road. And it was a “road” not to be imagined… One extremely steep hill, a one lane track that appeared little more than a footpath wide, yet two
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