The road journey from PICTON to Christchurch was easy and uneventful...just long straight road through vineyards. On arrival at Christchurch I went straight to the town centre which was the centre of the earthquake , it is basically a building site with building being demolished and new ones in progress. There is an area where there are shops and restaurants operating out of freight containers, very ingenious. Got a flavour of the place so cut my planned stay from two nights to one. I got the last slot in the campsite and even cooked the ubiquitous spaghetti and sauce (that is what most of the young backpackers live on...so why not me)...it rained all night and I felt sorry for the kids who are camping especially the one who were moving on with a soaking wet tent.
Once I eventually found my way out of Christchurch in the rush hour I took the scenic route heading south and inland towards the mountains and the alpine region. The intention was to go to Twizel but I stopped at Lake Tekapa which is at the base of Mount John where there is an astronomical observatory. I had hoped to take the night tour but the forecast is cloud and drizzle. I decided to walk up to the summit...there are two tracks...one takes two hours at a gentle stroll or the other is a one hour lung wrencher ...I took the one hour and when I reach the top I find that I could have driven up...probably best that I walked up as ETTIE doesn't do hills too well.
The pitch on the campsite is fantastic overlooking the lake which is turquoise blue and flat calm.
I hear it is snowing in Scotland .. It was a lovely day here with a high of 24C.
Onward to Queenstown tomorrow and I and one day ahead of schedule
Will post pics as soon as I get a decent wifi signal
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