A changed city

19th February,

Gun shots heard at first light. The firearm and hunting laws are slightly different to that of the UK but open and closed seasons do apply here. It's what can be shot that is different. After all, the Kings Swans in the UK are protected by the crown but for the Black Swans of New Zealand, anyone can shoot them during the right months. Even the Pukeko can be taken. The list is HERE

Anyway, we got up and walked to the long drop for our morning ablutions. OMG, someone had left the lid up, not just the smell that hit you but the amount of flies buzzing around were horrendous. We did no more than turn around and make use of our porta potti Peoples... how hard is it to close the bloody lid!!!!

Destination Christchurch along the scenic route SH72. More of the same straight roads but a few hills?, mountains?, ranges?? were seen in the distance.

 

The wind had picked up again making for lively driving and side on to the Toy, Ian had to fight occasionally to keep her straight. A sign was spied with the words Sharplin Falls. Oh goodie, another falls to walk to. The lane to it was humped and very narrow. Hoping we wouldn't meet anyone, of course we did! Luckily it was right by a small grassy area where Ian could pull off.

 

Loads of cars in the car park. Gosh this was a popular place. Well, yes it was, but not for the falls. Two other walks started from here, all roughly 10 k and taking 3 to 4 hours. A level of fitness was required as the ascent was long and hard . Hmm, that's not for us then! 

Got all kitted up, even sprayed anti sandfly all over the exposed bits. That's the first time we have had to do that for a while. Anyway off we set, we had a good 90 minutes return ahead of us but then, got no further than the notice board because this stopped us in our tracks

Now what do we do. For days, we had spent on our backsides and were ready for a good tramp. Decision made, Oh what the heck...we may as well do a thirty-minute walk along the Mt Somers track before turning around and heading back.

 There were plenty of small rapids to explore, Ian scrambled down one bank to get the shots he wanted. These were they.

 

We came to where the path was closed. Crikey, I'm wondering how long it had been closed for because no way would anyone be able to even attempt it now. The forest had reclaimed its land.

 On the way back and crossing the bridge I got to have my photo taken.

Nearly lost my hat, it was that windy!

Back at the Toy and we continued to Christchurch. A stop was made at The Rakika Gorge, a fabulous lookout over the River Rakika. We had lunch here, couldn't keep the door open because it was so very windy.

Look, before I get on my high horse, I must just say I have nothing against motorbike riders. Our Son in Law rides one, scares the life out of me every time he goes on it, mind, but I know what a good responsible rider he is. No my gripe is with those riders that think nothing of inconveniencing other road users. I mentioned it when we were at Milford sound by the Homer tunnel and it appears that get in a group and all sanity goes out of the window. They did it again at this lookout. A crowd of them taking ALL of the parking area. Why spread out? What is wrong with bunching together to allow other folk to come in and enjoy the scenery? Photos had to be taken of the bunch and we even had one using the Toy as a back rest! Unexpectable!!! Two cars pulled in behind us stopping our departure, they were only just off the road. A wait of a good 5 minutes before they all bu**ered off!

Eventually we made it to Christchurch. Wow, has this place changed. Loads of new build since we were last here in 2020, even the Cathedral was well on its way to becoming a proper place for worship again. Parking places were to be found but at ridiculous prices. Some were $5 an hour some wanted nearly $7. To have any chance of really exploring the place, three hours would not be too long. So we gave up and disappeared out to Prebbleton Tavern.

 

So Prebbleton, roughly a 15-minute drive from Christchurch, We wanted somewhere close to Christchurch because tomorrow we are off on one of New Zealand's most spectacular rail journeys, the TranzAlpine Train It leaves Christchurch at 8.15 am and will take nearly 5 hours to reach Greymouth. Most people will alight here and overnight in Greymouth. Not us, We have an hours wait before departing back to Christchurch arriving at about 7 pm. Here's hoping for a sunny day because the solar blanket will need to keep the fridge ticking over. Ian was most reassuring saying the forecast looks good. Now all we need to do is position the Toy so the solar blanket can be place inside the front windscreen to catch the afternoon sun.

And wildlife