North and West

We left Timaru in drizzling rain and headed inland through Geraldine to Methven where an ex ag pilot, Jim Doyle lives on a farm. A quick phone call established that he was home and we spent an afternoon and evening on more reminiscences. Sunday morning we set off towards Christchurch via Rakaia Gorge, Windwhistle, Glentunnel and Darfield. Once again we were struck by the variety of the scenery in this country of ours. We spent the afternoon with Aunty Gwynneth at Redcliffs. She is keeping remarkably well and those of her family in Christchurch called round for afternoon tea. The night was spent at the Mt. Pleasant Yacht Club. Monday morning was taken up with renewing the COF for the bus and then we went to the Cross's home to return the key to the Wanaka house. There was much talk into the evening and we spent the night on their front drive. Tuesday was again overcast with occaisional drizzle as we headed north and west stopping for the night in the Balmoral State Forest. This is a large camping ground with minimal but adequate facicilies for $5 a night. A really good place, but somewhere to avoid in the holidays unless you like crowds. Next morning we set off in rain which cleared up as we drove towards Hamner Springs. This gives the impression of being an alpine village geared for tourists - very clean and quaint but ankle deep in campervans. After lunch we headed off and decided that we would continue over to the West Coast. We stopped at the Lewis Pass car park for afternoon tea. There is a delightful little mountain tarn 30 metres from the car park. From there we drove on to Reefton where the Workingmens Club welcomed us to stay in thgeir car park.