Thursday 11th. Another cooked breakfast but an early start. Alyson, our host, had to teach at school this morning so wanted to set off soon after 8 o'clock. She was happy for us to make our own toast but I knew that if we got to her kitchen before 8, I'd get a cooked breakfast. So, woke up early, chased Brigid out of the bathroom and nipped across in time for the full works.
The drive today was along the Inland Scenic Route 72. Once again I was sitting there in my cinema seat travelling at 100 kph along never ending straight roads. I reckon that I didn't have to slow down once for over 70km. When I did have to slow, the first time was for a tractor and the second time for road works.
We passed through Geraldine, a town full of independent traders - small shops! But it is also a big tourist centre. Coaches come by the dozen dropping off their charges in the centre of town. We, on the other hand, walked to the far end of town where we found a quiet cafe to have our tea and coffee.
We stopped at Rakaia Gorge and walked for half an hour up the gorge.
Having exhausted ourselves we drove up to Mount Hutt Lodge for lunch, only to find it closed! No photos of lunch then. Ended up having nut bars and fruit by the River Waimakariri sitting in the car with the windows closed to keep out the sand flies. Nasty little brutes they are!
On to Loburn to spend just one night en-famille with Toni, Clancy and three boys. Very comfy bed but surprised to be woken at 3am by the cat jumping through the tiniest gap in an open window.
We drove into Rangiora for supper at Capones which was rather splendid. (Can anyone suggest any other descriptions that I can use - I'm running out of superlatives!)
Would you believe it, a couple on the table next to us came from Chelmsford!
Rangiora is still suffering from earthquake damage. A whole section of the Main Street is cordoned off and new building work is in evidence.
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