School holidays - they seem to take forever to come around, then are gone in a flash. The campervan was packed and ready to go early the first morning of the holidays - an hours drive to the first coffee stop!
The aim was to spend the first night at Lake Alexandrina - we weren't sure if the van could get down to the end of the lake after the winter snows, but thanks to an improved road, indeed we did. This lake is one of our favourite spots in the Canterbury high country.
The next day was to be spent at a wee secluded spot on the eastern shores of Lake Pukaki (all of 40 minutes from Lake Alexandrina - a tough driving day). Unfortunately the landowner saw fit to fell half the trees and lay poison everywhere (a long but entertaining story which goes back three years!) - so it was on to Omarama. Lunch the next day in Richie McCaw country, then over Dansey's Pass to the Dansey's Pub.
The plan was to surprise Chris with a birthday treat of dinner and night there, but the pub was closed after a big wedding bash and conference. To our surprise we discovered that campervans were not allowed over Dansey's Pass - certainly no indication of that on the Waitaki side. It was an entertaining drive, fortunately with no traffic on the road.
Naseby and Ranfurly were the same sleepy towns they have always been when we are there. The Internet cafe next to the Ranfurly Hotel provides an excellent breakfast. And if you are looking for a blast back in to the 1950s, then have lunch or dinner at the Ranfurly Hotel - it's an experience!
Two nights at Moeraki doing nothing but sleeping and reading and the occasional walk were great, followed by a morning at Oamaru. What a wonderful town - we keep being drawn back there. The buildings and the culture are wonderful. So good, we have booked the whole family in there for a few days after Christmas.
Fleur's at Moeraki was closed (again) whilst we were there, but the Moeraki pub serves good kai and the beer isn't too bad either.
And so onto Geraldine for a couple of nights - another relaxing spot. Back there too on Show Weekend in a couple of weeks, for an art festival and weekend street fair.
Home via Stavely (award winning cafe and home to the Topp Twins, one of whom was there"to greet us" - yeah right) and Darfield to check out the annual Darfield Artweek and see hoe my two entries fared.
A great and much needed break away from the shaky city.
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