March 9
Christchurch to Wanaka
It was cloudy but warm. Some of the family went to work. I finished packing and drove away just after 09.00. Unlike on some previous occasions, the roads were flowing freely so I made good time in reaching State Highway One. The road is being extensively modified, introducing dual carriageways, but there were speed limits rather than major delays. I sped South for over an hour and a half, during which the cloud burned off and lots of blue sky appeared.
I reached the turn off to Geraldine and stopped for the first photo of the day. The clear blue sky and the mountains made for a good picture.
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Geraldine, about fifteen kilometres off the main road, isn't exciting but it is a convenient place for an elevenses stop, particularly when the radio had informed me that there was a major crash ahead which was causing delays.
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I found a new café which looked more interesting that the older ones. The waitress gave me a green dinosaur rather than a number but it worked and she soon produced a very good long black and a very unhealthy bacon sandwich.
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The weather was still glorious but this was the one long drive of my trip, perhaps 400 kilometres. As a result, I had to speed up the hill from Geraldine, onto the MacKenzie Country, past the unnaturally blue lakes and down into Omarama for a late lunch. The roads were quiet but, in spite of the travel restrictions, there were lots of Asian tourists in evidence. I sat outside, unzipped the legs from my trousers and ate a healthy seeded roll in the hot sun. |
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As I had passed through Twizel, I noticed a very wide vehicle with "pilot" vehicles parked in a lay by. As I drove out of the car park, it came past with a long queue behind it. As it appeared to be carrying a turbine blade or similar, I assumed that it would turn left down the Waitaki Valley, towards the power stations. Alas, it went straight on, towards the Lindis Pass. It straddled the centre line, forcing oncoming vehicles onto the grass verges.
Just as I feared that it really would go over the Pass, it pulled into a large lay by and we all went past. The weather was still beautiful but the temptation to stop for photos was over ridden by the fear of being overtaken by the load.
As a result, I sped on into Wanaka, found the motel, about two kilometres out of the centre, and settled in.
I soon left and walked into Wanaka, a 25 minute trip but downhill all the way. I had already decided that I would drive into town for dinner and restrict myself to one glass of wine.
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The lake looked pretty but the breeze was increasing and there were clouds over the mountains. Tomorrow might not be too good.
The town was busy, so much for a collapse in the tourist industry. The Tourist Office showed me that the map I had been given in the motel contained a list of walks, so I would be able to plan for tomorrow. They also sold me a post card. The supermarket sold me a few provisions for the next couple of days and I had a brief wander.
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I took the precaution of booking a table at Relishes, a restaurant I have visited a number of times before.
As it turned out, this was just as well as they were turning people away by early evening. There were seats available on the pavement but it was a little chilly for that.
My walk back to the Manuka Crescent Motel, uphill, into an increasingly strong breeze, convinced me that the car was definitely the answer for later. Once back in my room, I had a rest and a shower and discovered that I had left my dirty washing in Christchurch. John found it and said he would wash it in time for me to collect it on the way North again. Alas, I never had the chance
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I drove back into town, took my place at Relishes and had a good meal. The place was pretty full and the only free tables were on the pavement. After finishing, I looked at lots of other restaurants in town. None looked particularly thrilling so I might return to Relishes tomorrow.
I drove back up the hill, ate some of the cheese and fruit that I had purchased at Opawa Market and drank some of the wine I had bought in the supermarket. A fusion evening.