Greymouth to CHC, but no photos because this does need to be posted before I turn 71 ...

I may have mentioned that our original plan for the South Island had been a 3 ½ week trip to circumnavigate the island – we had done it twice before in that timeframe. The first time was back in 1993 with my mum and my Aunt Molly who we had brought out to NZ as a surprise for Mum’s 70^th birthday. And the second was in 2001 when we had intended to fly to the US (David had a work commitment there) and then on to the UK, but 9/11 (or more properly 11 September) put paid to that.

Back in 1993, I was 42, and in 2001 I was nearly 51 and somehow in the intervening 3 and 2 decades, I appear to have lost the capacity for driving long distances and still having energy to do touristy things. Having said that, twice in the last 5 years, I have driven to Auckland from Waikanae with only a stop for lunch with John and Adair in Pukawa, when flights from Wellington to Auckland have been cancelled all day due to execrable weather and we have had to get there to fly on to the UK.

So I think it may be that driving the noisy motorhome could be the tiring factor – the motorhome is easy to drive, but it does rattle even when things are insulated, wrapped, cushioned – the whole body of the habitation area is flexible and makes a constant noise – so maybe it’s the noise that tires me.

Our original plan of 3.5 weeks was predicated on needing and wanting to be back in Waikanae for Bruce and Gary’s 40^th anniversary party. Given our very very snail-like progress, we decided to fly back to Wellington for the party weekend and then return to the South Island and continue our perambulations at a suitable pace for those in their 8^th decade.

So on the Sunday morning, we headed south for a quick shopping expedition in Hokitika – we were keen to buy a piece of glass in red to give B&G for their ruby anniversary. Present purchased, we headed away – slinking out of town hoping that we would not be seen by any friends. We had already failed though – I bumped into Jose in the supermarket, and David caught up with her dad to give him back a tape David had copied for him. But lovely to catch up on some of the news.

Our intention had been to stay at Jackson’s Alpine Retreat, but they had not answered their phone and had not responded to a voice mail, so we carried on past. We then decided that Klondyke Corner would be the place and stopped in Arthur’s Pass at the DOC site to pay for a night at Klondyke. When we got there it didn’t look that appealing so we tried the place that was up the road opposite. I didn’t like that either – it turns out I am not so comfortable about freedom camping on a weekend when there are no other motorhomers around to give the comfort of company. I am a scaredy cat, obviously!

So on we went.  And as always occurs when I am low in blood sugar, making decisions is beyond me! 

We stopped on the side of the road near the turn off to Hawden Hut, another place Jose had suggested, to have some lunch. We stopped briefly at Lake Pearson to check that out - a beautiful spot that I would be happy to stay at but it was as windy as all get out and we would have been confined to barracks as it was not pleasant outside. But with lunch eaten and blood sugar topped up, I made a silent decision that we would go on a lot further than planned and stay at the Oxford Club. Decision made, it was a doddle to do the drive.

The site was excellent, no power, but no need for it. And the bonus was that we called Dean and Phaedra and they joined us at the club for dinner that evening. And we had a cuppa with them late the next morning before we headed for Christchurch.

We only did one day of touristy things in Christchurch – the Antarctic Experience and the Canterbury Museum plus a hop on hop off tram tour. The rest of the time was blobbing, getting the washing up to date and avoiding the extreme heat (over 30 degrees C) and strong wind! Six pegs required for each sheet – so definitely a bit breezy!

When we flew home, we left the motorhome at the same holiday park (North South) which is very casual and comfortable and felt very safe.

The party was lovely, we saw a lot of people we knew and it was great. Then I developed a migraine and had to head home quickly after downing two ibuprofen – the speed is required so that the aura doesn’t get too overwhelming and stop me seeing anything. Bugger! I missed most of a very, very good party, dammit!

I spent most of the next day in bed apart from a short visit to see Joy and Grahame. And the following day we flew back to Christchurch. It was a good thing we had the motorhome hooked up to power while we were gone – we had left one of the little spotlights on … Without the electricity, we would have well and truly drained the leisure battery!