Day 57 - Friday 1st March 2024

Into March already; it doesn't seem possible!

Today I had a leisurely start as I didn't have a lot of distance to cover; only approximately 50 miles.

All packed up and checked out at 09:30, my first plan was to go to a place called Mount Vernon on the summit road overlooking Christchurch. This had twin benefits; a view across the city of Christchurch, and also a view the other way over the very picturesque Diamond Harbour.


A stop for coffee before heading for Akaroa where I'm staying for the night. If you look at the map, just to the southeast of Christchurch is a peninsula that looks a bit like a volcano .... that's because it is an extinct volcano! I drove up a steep winding road to get to the summit of the caldera for some fantastic views before descending into the caldera where Akaroa waits at the end of the road. (no Sheryl Crow again, but aptly a bit of Alanis Morissette came up on the playlist as I was driving the curves!)
The views were stunning (is there a view in new Zealand that isn't?), and once into the town I found a place to park with the intention of exploring the town. 

Away from the car, and I noticed that the street I was on was Bruce Terrace ... my accommodation tonight is Bruce Waterfront Apartments, so I found the office, and I was parked right next to where I'll be staying. Check in isn't open for a while yet, but I was able to move my car to the car park ready.

I had a wander around the sea front; I was too late to get on any of the cruises this afternoon, so I wandered along to the lighthouse, and then had an explore of the Garden of Tane; a woodland area with paths and play areas that was beautiful.

Back to the seafront, and a decision to make between getting an ice cream or a beer in the nearest bar. The call of a hazy IPA won the day, so I settled for a while before returning to the office to check into my accommodation. I have a two bedroom apartment here that's bigger then my house, and it's well thought out and the kind of place that appeals to me. 

Time to update the blog and publish this week's video (which can be found here). Dinner to find then an early night to come as I have a longish drive tomorrow (5 hours according to Google Maps) which calls for an early start.



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