Kaikoura to Christchurch

After another excellent breakfast, we packed up the car and made our farewells to Oli and Rosmarie.  we set off at the eartly hour of 09:30 for our 180km trip to christchurch, with enough fuel for 170km, so thought we should add a little just in case.  The coastal route really did hug the shoreline most of the way, with the railway line mostly on our lanward side, passing in and out of tunnels and sometimes under the road zappearing on the other side of us.
At Oaro, the road went inland, climing high up over the mountain whereupon the temperature rose from about 16 to 24 degrees as we entered the lee of the strong onshore winds.  We found our filling station at  a tiny hamlet before Cheviot (Hawkswood perhaps).  Then, fully fuelled, we immediately decided to divery down a coastal drive to Gore Bay and cathdral cliffs, where a junior surfing championship was in progress.

It was necessary to hold onto your hat!
We went onto Grea valley for milkshakes and a snack for lunch, then continued on admiring the great scenery all the way to Christchurch, when once again, we found our B&B without any hitch.
the afternoon was spent walking around the city and in particular the RE:Start, where the shops which were devastated by teh earthquake have re-opened in shipping containers.

It is a very lively place .
back for our complimentary glass of wine at this superb colonial style house, where we were able to socialise with the other guests. We booked a table by phone at a nearby bar/restaurant Fiddlesticks, which was magnificent and reasonably priced, considering we are in a major city.
came back and emptied the car as we need to be fully suitcased up for our trip on the train to Greymouth on Monday.