Thursday 28th October: An early start today as we had to be checked in on the Ferry for 0745 and there was a risk of ‘traffic’. Of course, as it turned out we had a smooth journey and were there in plenty of time. The Interislander Ferry was an old cross-channel one, The Pride of Cherbourg, and in one place they had not even painted out the ‘Portsmouth’ emblazoned along the bow! The crossing is 3 hours, but only about 30 minutes of that is crossing the Cook Straits, the rest being amongst the outlying islands (mainly as the South Island is approached) and harbour entrance. The crossing was forecast as being ‘moderate’ but was in fact like a millpond and the scenery as we approached South Island was spectacular.
Lunch in Picton and then onto the train for the 6 hour Transcoastal journey to Christchurch. We have three ‘scenic’ rail journeys in New Zealand, each increasing in ‘wow’ factor compared to the previous. Not surprisingly (if you note its name) this journey hugs the coastline for much of its duration and includes long periods where you can spot seals to one side and snow-capped mountains to the other. The open carriage at the back of the train gave some great opportunities for photographs, though it did not make a stable base for capturing ‘perfect’ shots – very grateful for digital photography and the ability to take plenty of shots and throw through rubbish away before others see it!
We arrived in Christchurch at 6.30pm and hopped on the shuttle bus to our hotel. This is the one which we booked purely based on name; The Charlotte Jane Bed & Breakfast. It’s not quite what you might think of as a B&B but is a Boutique Hotel; rather nice and ridiculously expensive had we booked it direct (rather than only being ‘quite’ expensive as we booked it through booking.com months in advance!). We’re looking on this as a few days of luxury before the campervan expedition starts on Monday!
Friday awoke grey but dry and then turned a bit damp in the afternoon. We explored Christchurch mainly on foot, including the beautiful and extensive Hagley Park which has the river Avon flowing through it. We walked along the river amongst the ducks and chicks (it’s spring here) until we came to the boats for hire which lured us onto the water. There was an option of a punt ride (passive), kayaks, Indian canoes, or rowing boats, the latter two being traditionally built in beautiful local timber. We opted for some rowing and Mark got his upper body exercise for the day!
We then found Cathedral Square and wondered around a few shops, booked a bargain outing for tomorrow which includes a harbour cruise to see dolphins and other wildlife and the local gondola ride to the top of the Ports Hills where there should be fantastic views from the rim of an extinct volcano – the forecast is for better weather than today and we hope they are right....
Lunch in Picton and then onto the train for the 6 hour Transcoastal journey to Christchurch. We have three ‘scenic’ rail journeys in New Zealand, each increasing in ‘wow’ factor compared to the previous. Not surprisingly (if you note its name) this journey hugs the coastline for much of its duration and includes long periods where you can spot seals to one side and snow-capped mountains to the other. The open carriage at the back of the train gave some great opportunities for photographs, though it did not make a stable base for capturing ‘perfect’ shots – very grateful for digital photography and the ability to take plenty of shots and throw through rubbish away before others see it!
We arrived in Christchurch at 6.30pm and hopped on the shuttle bus to our hotel. This is the one which we booked purely based on name; The Charlotte Jane Bed & Breakfast. It’s not quite what you might think of as a B&B but is a Boutique Hotel; rather nice and ridiculously expensive had we booked it direct (rather than only being ‘quite’ expensive as we booked it through booking.com months in advance!). We’re looking on this as a few days of luxury before the campervan expedition starts on Monday!
Friday awoke grey but dry and then turned a bit damp in the afternoon. We explored Christchurch mainly on foot, including the beautiful and extensive Hagley Park which has the river Avon flowing through it. We walked along the river amongst the ducks and chicks (it’s spring here) until we came to the boats for hire which lured us onto the water. There was an option of a punt ride (passive), kayaks, Indian canoes, or rowing boats, the latter two being traditionally built in beautiful local timber. We opted for some rowing and Mark got his upper body exercise for the day!
We then found Cathedral Square and wondered around a few shops, booked a bargain outing for tomorrow which includes a harbour cruise to see dolphins and other wildlife and the local gondola ride to the top of the Ports Hills where there should be fantastic views from the rim of an extinct volcano – the forecast is for better weather than today and we hope they are right....
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