Well the weather report was right, it was bucketing down this morning! We had to put our raincoats on to get to breakfast and the view from the restaurant was much greyer than yesterday.
Driving down the coast was very wet and when we turned inland to start the climb up to Arthurs Pass we couldnt see the top of the high mountains, they were shrouded in cloud.
The road started to wind through the narrow Otira Gorge and we found ourselves driving through the rock shelter. • The rock shelter was constructed to capture and deflect the almost continuous rockfall from the cliffs above the gorge, this has been an issue since the road’s original construction in the 1860s.
Next we drove over the Otira Viaduct. Completed in 1999 by McConnell Smith Pty Ltd, the 440 metres (1,440 ft) four-span viaduct carries State Highway 73 over a stretch of unstable land, replacing a narrow, winding, dangerous section of road that was prone to avalanches, slips and closures.
Despite the cloudy weather the rest of the drive through Arthurs Pass National Park was still stunning.
We stopped briefly in the carpark of the Castle Hill formation. These limestone rock formations are striking – you see them from a long distance on your approach. The grand limestone outcrops of Kura Tāwhiti hold great cultural significance for Ngāi Tahu, and there were many people setting off to walk up to them and walk amongst them. I’d planned for us to do it too, but it was very cold and the wind was freezing and neither of us felt that the walk would improve our colds – so we took a picture and drove on. Next time!
We did stop briefly in the village of Springfield, where there was a very unusual sculpture in the town park.”Homer’s Donut,” was gifted to the town by 20th Century Fox in 2007 to promote the premiere of “The Simpsons Movie”.
From Sprinfield we had another hour of driving before we arrived at our hotel in Christchurch, the Fable Hotel. It’s a great loation right next door to the Tram Shed. We set out for a bit of a walk and to find a late lunch at the Riverside markets.
WE strolled won along the Avon River to the Earthquake memorial. The eggects of the 2010 and 2011 were profound on the city, so much of the CBD area was detroyed and much has been rebuilt, but they are still working on redevelopment in several places, including the iconic Christchurch Cathedral.
WE passed the Christchurch tram a few times, as it tootled around the city.
For dinner tonight we ate in the hotel, it was easy and the food was very good. Tomorrow, I’m hoping I feel a bit better and can really enjoy our last full day in New Zealand.