Australia Days 1 & 2 - Ain't Life Civilised

Monday 20th September Aus Day 1


After a good night’s sleep, in a proper bed, I rose at 06.30 and unpacked my cases, putting clothes into drawers as appropriate. Showered in the en-suite facilities and went down to breakfast at 07.45 to find that Valerie had transported Nick to the airport at 05.00 to catch his flight to (eventually) Papua New Guinea and arrived back at07.40.

Following a leisurely breakfast, I spent most of the morning updating my accounts and the Blog and bringing various other computer programmes up to date. This is probably the last opportunity I will have to ensure that all is in order before I set off on my travels.

After a delightful Skype conversation it was time for tea at about 6.30pm. Valerie had prepared a lovely meal and we had the company of Nick’s brother Michael and his wife Lawrence (pronounced Laurenz) which led to a very pleasant evening.

Once the visitors had departed, Valerie and I watched TV for a short while before retiring for the night.

Tuesday 21st September Aus Day 2

I have to confess that I was a late riser this morning, the sleep gremlins got me and I didn’t surface until 07.45 so, by the time I had showered and dressed, it was 08.30 before I got downstairs for breakfast.

Valerie had arranged to meet a long time friend for lunch so, at about 10.30 we set off for Port Elliot, a small seaside town on the Fleurieu Peninsula near to Victor Harbor (sic). Valerie met her friend, who teaches English in Japan, and we went for a fish & chip lunch in the ‘Flying Fish Cafe’ right in the bay.

Horseshoe Bay - Port Elliot

Horseshoe Bay - Port Elliot

Valerie & Shirley outside the 'Flying Fish Cafe'

This establishment serves very good fish & chips but does not provide any cutlery so, fingers were the order of the day.

Following a leisurely lunch where Valerie and Shirley spent time catching up with events since they had last met, some 12 months ago, Valerie and I headed back towards Willunga calling in the the Kay Brothers Vineyard on the way to try and get some of their Rare Muscat. This is a very palatable fortified wine which I had first sampled on my previous visit to SA in 2009.

Unfortunately, they had none available at the moment, nor would they be able to ship any to the UK for me. A different strategy is obviously called for so, we departed, empty handed, to re-think the situation.

Arriving back at Willunga, spent some time before tea drafting this Blog entry before attacking an enormous home made pizza.

Valerie and I then spent most of the evening dredging up 1001 childhood memories. It's amazing the things you can remember from up to 60 years ago (or at least you think you can remember)

At 10.30 I made a successful Skype call to Eileen, following which I happily complied with Zebedee's instructions and went to bed.

Day 20 - Farewell to Beautiful New Zealand

Day 20   Sunday 19th September


Final day and rose at 06.45 to a bright, sunny morning although there had, once again been a frost overnight. The usual ablutions and breakfast then disposed of any un-used stuff that I couldn’t take with me such a bread, milk, coffee and cooking oil. There wasn’t much but it would benefit someone else. I finished cleaning the van (internally) and eventually set of for the Apollo Depot remembering to refuel on the way.

Handover of the van was concluded very quickly with the minimum of fuss and I was transported directly to the International Departures entrance of the Airport where I was checked in for my flight by 10.45. Nothing to do now but wait. However, took advantage of the airport half hour free Internet access to deal with emails and then took a final couple of photos from the departure lounge looking towards Mount Hutt with the fresh accumulations of snow.

Towards Mount Hutt from Christchurch Airport

Towards Mount Hutt from Christchurch Airport - More snow overnight

Boarded the aircraft (a Boeing 737-800) on time and that was then farewell to New Zealand. We landed in Sydney on schedule, passed through Immigration and Customs, re-checked my big suitcase into Quantas Domestic and then boarded the aircraft to Adelaide (another Boeing 737-800) on time for the 2 hour hop across, NSW, Victoria and into South Australia, where e landed a little early to be met by sister Valerie and her husband Nick. They quickly transported me to their house in Willunga where I was made very welcome with a meal and a beer. Brilliant.

So, my whistle-stop tour of new Zealand has come to an end. Considering that it was a last minute add-on to the 3 month Australian trip that I had been planning for 12 months, I have seen some magnificent scenery and it has whetted my appetite to come back for more at some time in the future. I would recommend a visit to NZ to anyone although, if forced to make a choice, would prefer South Island and I can certainly recommend travelling the West Coast Route which is truly spectacular.

However, I am now in Australia and Zebedee says, time for bed.

Day 19 - Travel to Christchurch

Day 19   Saturday 18th September


Well this is the start of my last full day in NZ and once again I had a leisurely start, not getting away from the Holiday Park after the usual chores until 09.50. However, there was no rush as this final leg is just into Christchurch. I had only been on the road when I had to stop for these views of Fox Peak;

Fox Peak - I think

A Closer View of Fox Peak

Followed 10 minutes later with the following views of Mount Dobson, Fox Peak and Mount Hutt.

Across the fields to Mount Dobson

Fox Peak

Cloud covered Mount Hutt

I think that I said earlier that it might be possible to get a bit blasé about this environment but in no time at all I was stopping yet again for another view of Mount Taylor and Mount Hutt. This is a major winter sports venue and looking at some of these views it is easy to understand why.

Mount Taylor

Mount Hutt

As I motored along, surrounded by the beautiful snow capped peaks, it is a wonder I didn’t veer off the road at some point, I was so busy trying to drink it all in, it is certainly a good job that traffic density is very light. After another hour I came to a major melt water channel at Rakaia Gorge and took the opportunity to scramble down to the water’s edge, where I took the following picture. Believe me when I tell you that, that water is deep, fast and very, very cold. You wouldn’t last long if you fell in.

Rakaia Gorge - Deep, Fast and VERY Cold

Needless to say, I didn’t fall in and was shortly on my way again. Apart from trying to keep one eye on the road and the other on the unfolding scenery, I need a third eye to watch for views unfolding in the re-view mirrors which is how I detected this view look back up the road to Mount Hutt.

Looking Back to Mount Hutt

Even though I was travelling quite slowly (more Sunday Driver syndrome) I was still progressing more quickly than I need to so, pulled into a picnic spot at West Melton for some lunch when once again the travelling chef did a sterling job.

I was now in the outskirts of Christchurch and so far I had seen no sign of any earthquake damage. I believe most of the visible damage is confined to the City Business District although thousands of homes have suffered damage and the area is still being subjected to after-shocks. I arrived at the Christchurch, Amber Park Holiday Park a little after 2.00 pm to find it was a delightful little site, all trellis work and well tended flower beds.

The newly washed van in the very pleasant Amber Holiday Park

Taking advantage of the beautiful warm sunshine, I set to and washed the van down in preparation for hand over in the morning and then set to with packing suitcases etc which was all done in good time . Once I was happy that everything was set for tomorrow’s handover and airport trip I cooked myself a spot of tea, (I had given the chef the evening off) then at about 8.45 wandered down the road to the local pub for a couple of pints of Tui as a last night treat. I got into the place at about 9.00 pm and found that, although the natives were friendly, about half of them were staggering drunk. I surmised that this was probably not the high end of Christchurch society. Still, a couple of pints hit the spot and then it was back to the holiday park and so to bed said Zebedee.

Day 18 - Slow Down Son

Day 18    Friday 17th September


Well, a bit late up this morning, couldn’t force myself out of the covers until 07.30. After completing the daily chores, I logged on to check my email and found myself in an unexpected Skype session with daughter Samantha. By the time I had finished, I just had time to do the final checks on the van before clearing the site by 09.55.

Once again I am heading North up the East coast and it seems much easier to cover distance on this side of the country. Probably because I am not travelling around so many twists and turns, nor climbing so many hills. However, this side of the country still has lots to offer as can be seen from this view at Blue Skin Bay, even though the weather was not very good.

It wasn't quite this dark but it was pretty dismal

I was only about 40 minutes North of Dunedin when I realised that the direct route was going to get me to my destination far too early so, I stopped at Palmerston to re-plan. I took the following photos near Palmerston of a range of hills of unknown name. (Unknown to me anyway)

Hills near Palmerston - Can you make out the lambs?

Same hills - more lambs

Same Hills - Probably the same lambs

Different Hill near Palmerston

I was originally going to stop at Timaru but decided to continue through there and join the Inland Scenic Route and night stop at a place called Geraldine.

A little further up the road I came to Shag Point and was sufficiently impressed with the view that I took the following couple of shots.

View of Shag Point across the bay

Slightly larger view of Shag Point

The driving was quite uneventful and I even had time to actually take in some of the scenery as I travelled along. It was strange to see lambs in the fields at this time of year; if you look carefully you might be able to make some out in the Photos taken near Palmerston. Equally as strange was the sight of daffodils in full bloom. By now though it was time for a spot of lunch so, stopped off at Waitaki Bridge where I took the following shots looking South West towards the Kakanui Mountains.

The Kakanui Hills from the Waitaki River



Same Hills different perspective



JB at Waitaki - that flash doesn't do a thing for me!

The chef did a sterling job with lunch, a cheese sandwich and a banana washed down with a glass of diet coke. I know how to live the high life. After consuming this resplendent feast I continued with the immediate objective of getting fuel and provisions when I reached Timaru but, on the way took a couple of shots of the Hunter Hills. Also captured some more lambs in these pics.

The Hunter Hills from just north of the Waitaki River



Hunter Hills (and lambs) near Waitaki River

Successfully completed my mission with regard to fuel and provisions but, I have to say that I felt a bit inadequate when getting my few bits and pieces in the Pak N’ Save supermarket. Everyone else looked as though they were shopping to feed an army just going off to war.

However, leaving Timaru I very soon got to Winchester where I turned off onto the Inland Scenic Route, SH 72 which would take me to Geraldine. Just north of the town I took the following shots of what I think are Mounts Taylor and Hutt.

Distant View of Mounts Taylor and Hutt

Mount Taylor

Despite trying to take my time I still managed to arrive at the Geraldine Holiday Park by 3.15 pm so once I had the van established, I set off for a walk around town. It is not a big place, as you can imagine but quaint and well maintained. Almost every town seems to have its own little museum, as seen here; and I couldn’t resist the shot of spring flowers near the river.

Geraldine Town Museum

Spring Flowers by the river in Geraldine

The walkabout didn’t take long and I was back at the Holiday Park in time to get a shot of the enormous tree under which I was parked, (must be 150 ft at least) and one of the amusing art works which were dotted around the site.

My Little Camper Van under the Enormous Tree

Billy No Mates? Holiday Park Art Work

It was then time to check on emails and once again I was able to piggy-back on the public library Internet for a while.

Anyway, I think I have given you enough photos for one day, and these are not all I have taken. The rest being stored on my trusty laptop which, naturally, being Friday, I have backed up to my external hard drive.

By the time I had tea, my usual much valued Skype session and updated the Blog I was a very tired bunny and so to bed said Zebedee.

Day 17 - Turning North Again

Day 17 Thursday 16th September


Packed up and ready to hit the road by 09.30, after the usual preparations. My neck is feeling a bit stiff this morning after last night’s little escapade. Must try not to do that again. The night had been warmer than previous but wet and very windy.

Nothing really noteworthy during the first part of the journey today or maybe I’m just getting used to the scenario. I was travelling along the SH 98 to Dacre where I rejoined SH 1 through Edenvale and up to Mataura where I stopped for fuel and provisions. However, shortly after that I stopped to photograph the distant Blue Mountains just to give a example of the difference in terrain I was now travelling through.





The Blue Mountains in the Distance



The Blue Mountains from Waikaka Valley

In fact by the time I go to Gore on SH 1 (Actually called the Presidential Highway presumably because it goes between Gore and Clinton – although I could be wrong) I had decided to turn off on SH 90 which goes through the Blue Mountains and join SH 8 at Raes Junction, where it skirts the southern part of the Lammerlaw Range. Unfortunately, whenever I got the opportunity to stop for photos, the weather had closed in again leaving me with not a lot to see. I drifted down through Lawrence and rejoined the SH 1 (again) at Clarksville for the run up to Dunedin.

Just after Clarendon I turned into a scenic picnic spot at Lake Waihola and I think the following photograph illustrates just how un-inviting the water appeared.

Lake Waihola - It didn't look very inviting to me.

I am sure that it is a delightful and popular place during the summer months but just at the moment it is pretty well closed for business.

Arrived at the ‘Dunedin Holiday Park’ at about 3.30, set up the van and went for a walk to the St Kilda Beach. The following pictures might give you some idea how the wind was lifting the spray from the breaking waves and carrying it right over the dunes. This could be seen from quite some distance.

St Kilda Beach

St Kilda Beach



View of Dunedin from the dunes across the Golf Course

Returned to the van by 16.45 and chilled out for an hour with a beer and a book. It was then down to business with updating the Blog before making contact with my lady friend for an hour long Skype session, although I did manage to have 5 minutes with my sister in Australia beforehand. Then it was early to bed, as Zebedee says.