We left Timaru and headed up through Ashburton where we drove around a few streets of shops there and kept going much to Margaret's disappointment. I didn't see any parking spots. Margaret likes shops but I was the driver and the brakes failed. :-) We stopped at Rakaia and had coffee and meat pie's. Well, you have to stop for food don't you. Margaret took a pic of a giant Salmon.



We drove on and instead of heading straight for Christchurch, turned right and headed over lots of hills towards Akaroa. Lots of tight curves and some crazy driving. Wish some people would concentrate on where there driving. Akaroa was originally a French settlement but they were a bit slow in putting there flag up. The British heard the French were planning on raising there flag there and raced down and put there's up. The town still keeps some of the French flavour though. Le Hotel. We had been there before in 09 and there were a lot of buildings painted with bright colours like blue, yellow. But after the 2011 Christchurch quake, it changed apparently. Some damage was done in Akaroa and when the repairs were done, they didn't put the colours back which we thought was a shame. There was a cruise ship in port when we arrived there so lots of people looking around. A different cruise ship came in the next day as well. Apparently they cant get into Christchurch since the quake. We parked the car and went walking, found the I Shop and booked a motel. The Akaroa Waterfront Motel was right on the edge of lake. Great room with view.



We walked down town along side the lake and drank more coffee and scones with cream and fresh raspberry jam.



Can go out on a boat and swim with the Hector Dolphins, the only place in the world I read that you can do that.



One of the buildings that still has the bright colours.

Bit more looking around and then we bought some Fish and Chips and took it back to our motel where we sat on the balcony and enjoyed the view while we demolished them. Next morning Margaret was up and out hoping to catch a photo of a nearby jetty with reflections like the one on the wall in room. I think she did a good job.



We went for a walk again along side the lake and found this artist. Didn't look to busy so thought he may want to paint a picture of us.





He did a better job of Margaret than me.





Couple of ways you could get to see around. That bike had a V8 in it.



Some clever people in the world.



What a waste. lol



The wharf where you leave from to go and swim with the Hector Dolphins.

Margaret went for a walk up this steep hill to have a look at the Giants House. Lots of stuff made out of Mosaic tiles.

https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Attra...th_Island.html

I didn't go as I was puffed. I sat on a seat just by the ice cream shop until she came back.





Time to head out. We wound our way out over the hills back to Christchurch where we would stay the last two nights. Stayed at same motel as our first two nights. Parkview over Hagley. They updated us to a better room. Had a spa bath. We had a walk in the park



The next day, Saturday we drove up Riccarton Rd to a shopping centre. Margaret didn't buy anything though. Likes to study things for a few visits before buying in case she changes mind on wether she likes it or not. Crazy thing is we wernt going back. Hope she dosn't read this. I'm happy she dosn't waste money. :) Riccarton road is still very damaged from the quake and its a roller coaster ride driving along it. We went to a car wash and washed all the bugs off it ready for return to depot at airport.
Back to the motel and went for another last walk into the city. Looked at a couple of things we had missed before and then headed back through park where a bagpipe band was practicing. Watched for a few minutes and back to motel to make sure everything was ready for departure next morning. Lucky we went down to the car a bit later as someone had backed there car in along side and we couldn't even get in to open the door. Margaret being the slimmer of us both got in the other side and managed to climb over to driver seat and get the car out. Shifted it to another spot.
We left the motel at 3-30am so we could drop car back ezi car rental by 4am. Did that easy right outside the door of airport. Flight left at about 6-30am NZ daylight saving time and arrived back in Brisbane at about 7am Brisbane time. A 3 1/2hr flight.

Be back with a summery.