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Published: March 3rd 2009
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Friday 27 February - Moved on to Christchurch - initial stop was at Maui Centre for a bit of a repair to the loo!! Went into city centre - lovely town especially Cathedral Square with street entertainment and buskers also excellent free bus service round the city. Made our way to County Hall and bought our tickets for the rugby match that evening between the Crusaders (local team) and Hurricanes (Wellington team). Had a lovely day browsing around the town and then at about 6.00pm parked up in a side street and started walking to the AMI Stadium (in the process of being rebuilt for 2011 Rugby World Cup) - it felt just like Twickenham with all the supporters converging on the stadium. Found our seats in the upper tier of the Paul Kelly stand and met up with Mike, Maggs, Tom and some of his vets colleagues. Lots of entertainment with the Crusaders - horses, motorbikes, cheerleaders and the match ball arriving by helicopter. Several All Blacks playing in this local derby - final result Hurricanes 30 Crusaders 19. Back to motor home and drove through Christchurch looking for somewhere to park up for the night. 11.00pm found a quiet
car park on the outskirts somewhere!
Saturday 28 Feb - Woke up to find we were parked at the foot of the Pioneer Trail so donned our walking boots and set off up this very steep track. Views from the top across the city and the town of Lyttleton were well worth the early start. Lots of monuments to the early women pioneers who had to carry all of their goods and possessions from Lyttleton to Christchurch - incredible! Got out our street map and set off to find Lyn’s cousins Jane & Andrew and little Hamish. Lovely to meet up with them and acquaint ourselves with Hamish. Then it was on to Lyttleton a working maritime town and port before taking the motor home up to the Crater Rim/Summit Road. Some of the scariest driving we’ve done so far with narrow roads and sheer drops either side. And still we see these hardy NZ’s running and cycling whilst we tentatively drive round!! Onwards to Methvan in low cloud and rain to find Tom & Laura’s abode. Couldn’t see much scenery because of the weather but Tom assured us there were mountains nearby! Mike and Maggs were also there
and it was so good to see them all and meet baby Dougie. Much talking took place in front of a roaring wood burner!!! Tom & Laura made us so welcome and Laura cooked up a great curry for all 6 of us. Slept in the van in their drive so didn’t hear Dougie in the night!!
Sunday 1 March - We’re in March the time is going too quickly!!!! Woke up to blue skies and great views of nearby mountains. Skyped Al from Tom’s and said goodbye to the family - What a lovely family they are. Moved on to Arthur’s Pass - spectacular road even though the weather closed in again. Didn’t stop NZ’s cyclists taking part in a road race through the mountains - they really are an outdoor nation. Drove down to Lake Brunner and found a tiny campsite in the town of Moana - still raining.
Monday 2 March - Spoke to Ian & Em & Molly on the mobi and were deliberating whether to go back East and possibly better weather but after about half an hour saw a chink of blue sky and decided to press on to the west. Before
leaving thought we’d look at the lake - what a bonus. Across the swing bridge through lush forest - loads of birds and completely deserted and quiet. As the sun was now shining stayed by the lake and had a fish - caught nothing but got bitten by sand flies!! Left after lunch heading for Hokitika. What a lovely town - walked down to the beach across an amazing amount of driftwood forming loads of natural sculptures plus some man-made ones. Quite late leaving the town but managed to find a long unsealed road by the beach and free camped miles from anywhere under an amazing sky full of stars.
Tuesday 3rd March - Early start - drove along unsealed road just managing to keep ahead of a Grader/Earth Mover! Wanted to see Hokitika Gorge so backtracked 33Km through beautiful fertile farmland with only a few houses before driving down a narrow gravel road. Parked up and walked across another swing bridge and got the first glimpse of vivid aquamarine water rushing through the gorge. With the early morning sun it was quite stunning the colour was so deep and vivid. Back to Hokitika for coffee and a visit
to the I-site to book up our overnight trip on Doubtful Sound (you have to book this one in advance). Weather perfect and we got under way to Franz Joseph and Fox Glaciers which we could see in the distance. Stopped for coffee in Franz Joseph which was quite busy so pushed on for Fox Glacier and Lake Mathieson to see the reflections of Mt Cook and the Glaciers. Loads of helicopters everywhere doing scenic flights. Found the Lake and had a lovely walk round it - some low cloud cover over the mountains so not a perfect reflection. However clouds lifted as evening approached so found a really nice small site at the foot of Fox Glacier with facilities as we really wanted a shower and needed to fill up with water. Best showers of the trip!!! As the skies had cleared went back to the Lake and walked to the reflections viewpoint and got some stunning photos. Back to the site to eat and edit hundreds of photos!! A glorious day and weather set fair for tomorrow.
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Martin and Tessa
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Thanks for the memory !
Wonderful Blog T and L ! Please keep them coming as it brings back great memories.