To Akaroa

A full Kiwi breakfast for one and the usual fruit, muesli and yogurt for the other. Off to the airport to check on missing earring - as expected, nowhere to be found. 

Next stop Gore Bay and Cathedral Valley.

 

Are those the organ pipes?

Some motoring time later we reach Christchurch. A stop at a shopping mall leads to the purchase of a new camera connector cable. The people in New Zealand really are very helpful - the camera fix followed visiting three different shops all of whom gave advice and sent us on to someone else. All of this whilst being encouraged not to buy something until they could confirm what it was that would fix it. 

Travelling through the Lyttleton part of Christchurch the damage from the earthquake is still very much apparent.  Lots of houses with parts missing or twisted roofs etc. All boarded up and looking rather sad as there was a lot of graffiti on them. It had affected what looked like a new housing estate with some of the buildings not even complete but then damaged. 

Further on there were views across the wetland. 

Eric examines the engraved location panel.

 

We decide to take the scenic route around Governor's Bay.  Yet another bendy coastal road. Stopping to admire the view we are over-taken by a motorbike rally - 50 or more - lots of Harley's, but not all. 

Eric tries leapfrogging over a post at Governor's Bay.

Made it over the first one but not the next. Ouch!

Follow Flossie's suggestions for the shortest route to Akaroa and she directs us past some interesting scenery. 

After about 24km she tries to direct us onto a gravel road for 14km - car hire restrictions require that we turn around and re-trace our steps. Flossie has no regard for such trivialities. Finally have our first views of the crater lake formed after the Akaroa eruption all those years ago.

It is now open to the sea and navigable. Apparently the cruise ships come in here. 

Book into our accommodation before heading out along the rim drive and to dinner.

View from the room window.

Weather deteriorating along the crater rim but can see both the harbour side bays...

..and the ocean side bays.

Dinner was a delight after squeezing in to table at a rather cramped small bistro called "The Small Bistro". The clue was in the name. They did have an interesting vegetarian option and the pork was good. Again the waiter opted not to make more cash but suggested we share the dessert, and it proved to be good advice. The rhubarb mess was plenty for two. Rhubarb, ice cream, meringue and creme anglaise- absolutely wicked.  We also may be changing our ginger beer allegiance to a NZ made offering called Stokes.