Christchurch to Akaroa

Hi again,
This morning we left Christchurch and headed out the Banks Peninsula for Akaroa. It began to rain, and then it rained harder and got colder as we ascended up steep and winding roads. Joel was ready to hurl because the road was narrow and curvy and without guardrails and it began to snow! Geez louise--I couldn't believe it.
We were so glad to get out of the car. The setting is unspeakably beautiful here. Long bay of turquoise water. We had to pass on our homemade sandwiches yet again--because the seafood chowder, garlic bread and beer were just to good to pass up. We then took a little walk to view the old Anglican and French cemeteries and to walk through a small bush area. We decided to pace our hikes and today was not going to be one. We then headed up to our farm hostel (and I mean up and up and up). The road narrowed and then you had to get out and open the gates and then close the gates. What a jewel of a place. I would come here again and again. The setting is awesome with incredible views. The Onuku Family owns 1000 hectares that are at our disposal (if you can hike that far up and wide). It has been in the family for many generations and is a working sheep farm. The weather changed dramatically and the sun came out--it was like an autumn day. You know, sweater weather. But I am so glad that I brought my down jacket because the nights have been quite chilly and I have definitely used it more than twice. We became acquainted with our surroundings: outdoor showers, outhouse loo, three kitchens (one outside) and our double room. At 5 pm or so we decided to do a little walk. Well, we kept going and the climb was 1000 ft and one hour later we were on top of the ridge with spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean coming into the bay and green rolling hills for miles. We never saw another person, but that is often the way it is down here and I love that solitude. We didn't want to leave but had not packed anything other than our down jackets and camera so we had to come back down and the coming down part is the hard part. I had left the walking sticks in the car (I will not be making that mistake again). My knees were screaming. We've had a cup of soup and watched the sun go down over this amazing place and will hit the hay pretty soon. Plan on taking a very long hike tomorrow. We will be here for three days before leaving for Oamaru. Love to all, L