Spring 2020 roadtrip south

I could not leave Christchurch without fitting in a short walk down the avenue of cherry blossoms next to the main road to the City Centre. The blooms have only just appeared and will sadly last for such a short time once the Norwest winds start up - a downside of springtime.

People tend to look up, but the blossom encircling the tree trunks looks like necklaces of flowers. It is so pretty.

Time to say farewell to Mike and home and head south. The journey down to Wanaka is always one of the highlights of any trip. It doesn't matter how often you pass Lake Pukaki, its beauty and the magnificence of Mount Cook on the far side just blow your mind.

Leaving the lakes behind, my next favourite lies ahead, the lovely Lindis Pass, bathed in the late afternoon sun, which highlights the rich colours of the tussock, contrasted with the snowy peaks and clear blue sky. 

The other side of the pass is no less spectacular as one descends towards Tarras. Driving with the canoe made corners a little trickier, but with so little traffic, I could just take my time and savour the breathtaking scenery.

The timing of my arrival into Wanaka could not have been better, and though keen to get to the hotel, a stop along the lakefront was a must. Pure perfection.

As always, the days with David went by too quickly, but we had some great walks, talks and meals together. Sadly, the windy weather meant the canoes remained chained up at the lakeside, but they will be there for the next visit. 

Time to leave and the clouds were grey and clouds heavy with rain. Still a beautiful sight from the window!

I had spent two days in Wanaka without a vsit to that tree, actually named 'the Lonely Tree' by the Chinese. I like that name. It really does look lonely!

With forecasts of wild windy weather, I chose a longer route to get to the East Coast. It was my first time travelling along State Highway 85, and despite the incredible wind gusts which spasmodically pummelled my poor little car, terrifying me as I hung on to the steering wheel ( thankfully I did not have the canoe on top),  I just loved the trip.

The highway from Alexandra to Palmerston is 167 kilometres of diverse conditions, ranging from long, straight, flat stretches, to undulating and winding roads through almost moonscape-like areas. I was very pleased to leave the jet black clouds with their vicious winds behind me and to see some blue skies ahead.

First stop Moeraki Boulders, a mystery of nature and a captivatingly beautiful spot on this long sandy beach.

Time for a selfie shadow! 
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The weather was kind to me as I set off for Moeraki, or more precisely the lighthouse peninsula, which I had really enjoyed last time. It is a fantastic feeling driving with such phenomenal scenery on such deserted roads.

The coastline here is absolutely magnificent, and the rocks and cliffs strewn with seals lazing around in the early morning sun.

So well camouflaged amongst the rocks, these cute seal pups make for a truly enjoyable experience.

Sadly, just as I was leaving I witnessed a horrendous killing of a pup, luckily not the one in my photo,  by a huge adult seal. I won't go into details, but it was so savage, I could hardly believe it. Not only that, the baby seal was then eaten by its killer! I was so shocked but it is apparently common if pups venture into the wrong territory.

What a mix of emotions I had had early in the morning, but luckily the rest of the day was perfect. The line up of cormorants ( shags) on the wharf was just as incredible as on my last visit, but this time there was an even clearer division of adults, with their black feathers, and the young chicks closer to me, still cloathed in white.

I had intended to take a walk around the peninsula, but the weather changed dramatically within minutes. Wow, what menacing clouds.

It didn't matter. I was able to enjoy looking around the historical quarters of Oamaru, and then later had a fantastic visit to the Little Blue Penguin colony, where I watched 260 of these cute little creatures coming home after their 14 hours at sea. Nature is remarkable. How they find their way back is amazing.

Once again wild weather was forecast, with northwesterly winds. The clouds were the only indicator of the turbulent winds up high early in the morning. On the ground it was windy, but at first not excessive.

Elephant rocks is well named and was  a new place for me to visit. It was fabulous and I had it all to myself

Apart from a small flock of sheep with their lambs. These lambs help to give an idea of the size of the limestone blocks.

The heritage trail between Oamaru and Kurow is full of fascinating places to visit, from a fossil of a whale in the limestone, to Maori rock paintings at this next site.
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It was impossible to photograph the paintings and I was not too keen to linger beneath this rather fragile-looking, yet magnificent rock overhang!

The trip home was really scary, with fierce winds of up to 100km per hour, but worse still, dust storms hammering the side of my poor little car and cutting visibility to just metres in some spots. 

I was happy to arrive safe and sound back to my home, which looks lovely with the spring blossom and fresh new leaves.

I made the most of the next days in Christchurch as bad weather, with cold winds and storms, was forecast.

Wow, the City Centre is looking fantastic, especially  the new Convention Centre with its gorgeous tiles,

And the recently restored Town Hall and fountain next to the lovely River Avon.

I feel so proud of this city I call home, and just love its very special places.

Little Hagley, so magnificent with its autumnal colours not so long ago, brilliant with its carpets of golden daffodils in early spring, is now a breathtakingly beautiful place to wander in the bluebell woods. 

Home again!