Two days of solid travel, from the bottom to the top of the South Island, 999 kms, 12h 27min. However, the time does not include all the stopping or travelling at 30 kmh for road works, especially on the Lewis Pass. This road had to include all the traffic from Blenheim to Christchurch, when Highway 1 and the Main North Line railway was swept away due to the earthquake in November 2016. All the heavy trucks caused damage to a road that was not built for so much traffic.
Before we set off north, we stayed for three nights at Shona's house in Wallacetown in order to spend time with her and Ollie. It was lovely to meet Ollie and to spend time with them both.
The old playhouse, newly painted and looking very smart.
The magnificent grasses, planted by Shona and Ollie, that run along the banks of the Makarewa River.
Ollie and Shona looking relaxed on a cold morning.
A magnificent display of hydrangeas in front of the house.
While we were at Shona's house we drove down to Bluff, the most southern point of the South Island, and fought off the other tourists in order to get our photograph taken.
We walked for half an hour around the coastal path, which was beautifully set in the native bush, and offered wonderful views of the coast.
Andreena, Walter and Margaret pausing for breath in a particularly lovely grove of bush.
A view across the sparkling sea. I might add the weather was mild and sunny, most unusual for Buff. My grandmother, as a very young girl, arrived here by ship with her parents They came from County Antrim in Northern Island. It must have been a bleak and unwelcome place in the late 19th century.
The Stewart Island ferry passing a small launch on a calm sea. Foveaux Strait can be a very rough and dangerous stretch of water.
We also spent quite a few happy hours with Eric and Ngaire, talking about life in general and reminiscing about the past. A very special time. Their daughter, Carol, also called in while we were there, and it was lovely to catch up with her.
On Sunday morning we set off to travel north, via Kingston, and the road around the edge of Lake Wakatipu, in front of the mountains, called The Remarkables, which constantly change colour. After travelling on the new bridge over the Kawarau River, we passed the ever sprawling town of Frankton, past Lake Hayes and then onto Cromwell, where we stopped to buy fruit and a berry ice cream. We avoided Queenstown, which is overcrowded and spoilt by over commercialisation.
A view of the mountains on the other side of Lake Wakatipu.
The traffic on the road was unbelievably heavy, with coaches, motorhomes, camper vans, and tourists in cars, like us. Added to this mix there were some very impatient and irresponsible New Zealanders, who passed everyone, regardless of the bends in the roads, or lines on the road, indicating that one must not pass vehicles on this section of road. Luckily we had a pleasant and uneventful drive north.
We stopped at Omarama, in the middle of the McKenzie high plains, for lunch, which also afforded us a view of the dead deer on the back of a utility truck. The result of a successful deer hunting expedition, no doubt. A trifle off putting.
After passing through the remote and beautiful Lindis Pass, we continued on past Lakes Pukaki and Tekapo, through Burkes Pass, and the lovely village of Fairlie, and then to Geraldine where we stopped for the night.
A view from the lookout on the Lindis Pass.
Geraldine has our favourite cafe, set in beautiful gardens, but on this occasion we went to a pub for a pleasant dinner.
The next day we set off early, and travelled initially on the scenic road which runs between the Southern Alps and Christchurch. There were hardly any tourists travelling on this road, so therefore no impatient New Zealand drivers either. A very pleasant trip.
We stopped at a very popular bakery in Oxford for coffee, which was excellent. We could not resist their locally made pies, sausage rolls and toasted bread. A bit early in the day, I know, but impossible to resist the temptation to indulge in their excellent food.
Andreena decided to put herself into the stocks outside the old prison cells.
A view of the Rangitata River, which is a braided river, that flows across the Canterbury Plains.
The changing colour of the lower hills of the Southern Alps was very special.
Another view of the same hills.
We came out onto Highway 1 above Christchurch and then turned off towards the Lewis Pass, which required much concentration due to the terrain, and the road works, which I mentioned in the first paragraph.
Once through the mountains we stopped in Murchison for the obligatory extra large ice cream.
Sadly no photographs of this part of the South Island, due to the need to get to Nelson. The countryside was extremely brown though, with many dead trees, due to the hot and dry summer.
We finally arrived in Stoke, Nelson, at 6 pm. A very long day.
However, we were greeted by Gordon, who gave us beer and wine, which revived us. He had also cooked us a delicious dinner. and we went off to bed feeling very happy and relaxed.
A view of Isel House, in its magnificent park, which is just around the corner from Margaret and Gordon's house. Stormy skies. However they desperately need rain.
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