Loving my b and b - and the bed! We were all treated to a lovely breakfast this morning. I had freshly cut fruit with berries and cherries, followed by eggs Benedict! Sadly today I am taking my last roadtrip, and I think I might be in for a real treat! I am off to akaroa, a small town on the tip of a penninsular that was originally inhabited by the French, became a popular resort and honeymoon spot, and today retains it's French flair and easygoing pace of life. The drive is through some beautiful countryside, then up a mountain range, then down into a horseshoe shaped natural harbour of emerald green water. There have been some stores, cafes and art galleries along the way and the quality has been brilliant. I stopped at a cheese factory and got to see them making havarti.

Akaroa is very quaint and there are lots of little shops and bistros. I stopped first at their little museum that gave a great rundown of the history via a film, and then through artifacts from the French settlers, and a very informative piece about some poor explorers who became impacted by ice and had to go to heroic lengths to be rescued.

I had lunch in a little bistro that has a great wine collection - I had rhubarb and elderflower softdrink as I'm driving, and asparagus, pea and blue cheese risotto - yum! I continue to have a look at the various shops, old style homes with cottage gardens, and walk along the shorefront to admire the view of the harbour.

I return to Christchurch, stopping in at a mall near my B & B for some last minute supplies, and then return to pack and get organised to leave tomorrow. I am the only one there for drinks and nibbles, so have a good chance to talk to the boys. The nibbles are delicious - pea and ham soup, chicken satay and falafal and hummus balls!

I drive into Christchurch to riccarton, one of the few eats areas that was spared earthquake damage , and eat dinner at Buddha stix, a modern Asian restaurant serving a good spicy Penang curry. Always happens at the end I get my bearings in the city and it seems alot easier to get around and find interesting things to see and do. This trip has been everything I hoped for, and I feel that I have seen almost all of the south island now! I will definately be exploring more B&Bs in the future, they have been the surprise highlight, and I am glad I made this journey a road trip, and about more regional areas!