New Zealand Journal Day 8

We awoke to another day of perfect fall weather and checked out of The Settles, one of the nicest lodgings Sandi and I have had in years traveling abroad. The manager even changed a hundred dollars for me and gave me the best rate yet: $100 for $140 NZ. We ate breakfast at one of the sidewalk cafes in quaint downtown Hanmer. The main drag reminded us of a quiet a Gatlinburg before it became noisy and gaudy. After breakfast, we followed Jackie to an  art shop where she purchased a watercolor print by a local artist; a captivating boat and sea scene.

Leaving Hanmer Springs, we followed highway 7 through beautiful mountain valleys, streams, vineyards, sheep.

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We came to Frog Rock and took a picture of Sandi.

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We debouched into Canterbury Plain which is mostly farmland. We made a pit stop at a small atmospheric cafe. Sandi and Jackie had cappuccino. I crossed the street and bought a coke at a small mart.

On the way into Christchurch, we passed the crematorium where Alan is interred, lovely grounds populated with colorful rose bushes. Jackie took us on a tour of the earthquake damaged area of Christchurch 5 years ago. We recalled nothing because so much of the center city, including the magnificent cathedral, was destroyed.

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We continued on to the Rasberry Cafe where we met Brian and Pam, Kevin and Jody, Maria and Daryl and Cheryl and Dan and all of their children for a lunch reunion.

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Lucy

From this point on, the route to Christchurch turned into a mountainous coastal region with drop dead views around every bend and turn. Eventually, we saw Akaroa Harbor.

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And came to the Bone’s home complete with awesome view, tennis courts (below) and swimming pool where JE swam laps before dinner.

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We enjoyed wine before dinner with sunset views of Akaroa Harbor.

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The last picture is a view of the Bone’s house looking from the back.

New Zealand Journal Day 9

After coffee and a bowl of oatmeal, Jackie took us for a tour of Akaroa and the harbor area. Before leaving, I took a photo of the house with some of the prodigious rose bushes.

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We saw continuous scenes of the harbor along the way. Akaroa is a picturesque village nestled along the shores of the harbor with numerous shops, cafes and offices.

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We stopped for some shopping. Sandi was looking for some Paua jewelry similar to some I bought for her 14 years ago when we were here.

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We were able to watch the artisans at work. This was the same shop where I purchased the paua necklace drop for Sandi. Jackie took us down to see her son Brian who was working on a boat. We got a photo op of the lighthouse and the cruise liner in the harbor, then to a fudge shop. Jackie then drove us around the harbor for a photo of the entrance and also a view of their home on the opposite side of the harbor.

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On the way back to her house, we saw other views of the harbor.

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Once home, we helped her cover her pear trees and pick apples.

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