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We had heavy overnight rain but thankfully by the time we left for Westport centre for breakfast the sun had appeared.
After breakfast we drove east along the Buller Gorge pausing at various points of interest such as an iron bridge constructed in 1890 and still carrying the SH6 across the Buller River, although it's currently being repaired. We also stopped at the Brunner Memorial, commemorating Thomas Brunner's achievement when, accompanied by 4 Maoris, he took 3 months to negotiate the gorge. Naturally, there were lovely views of the gorge at all the stopping points.
Then we turned south and made for the beautiful Maruia Falls, just a short 5 minute stroll from the car park. Continuing south we met up with the SH7 which crosses the Southern Alps via The Lewis Pass, and more spectacular mountain views. As we moved further east there was a marked change in scenery as the lush green landscape was replaced by a dry dusty brown, evidence of a long dry summer.
We popped into the small town of Hamner Springs, known as a spa town. It's a pretty little town surrounded by mountains but as neither of us wanted the spa we moved on a bit further to Marble Point Winery. A small family run concern where Bro sampled their 5 varieties and was impressed enough to make a purchase.
Then we continued to Christchurch. As we neared the city, the wind picked up and the clouds gathered. However, as we arrived mid afternoon, after checking in we took a 30 minute walk into the centre to have a look around before dinning.
As we'll be spending the whole day in Christchurch tomorrow, I'll write more about it in the next post. However, our first impression as we saw the devastation that is still very much evident from the earthquake 4 years ago, particularly the cathedral, was of doom and gloom, and a sadness at the ghost town feel of the place. We felt voyeuristic wandering amongst the devastation. But as we talked to a couple of locals, who said how things were picking up, and saw the hope in the Container Mall, where businesses are carrying on or have set up in imaginatively laid out shipping containers, there is the spark of a bright future for the city.
This attitude of hope was very much in evidence at Fiddlesticks, a restaurant and bar just outside the central zone which was packed and buzzing. I had fried chicken and chips while Bro had fish.
Today we drove 400km.
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