Today we took a day trip out of the city to a place called Akaroa its about a 90km drive on Highway 75. We passed through a town called Little River then decided to take the tourist route on "Summit Road" it was a really winding road and really high up too. It was so high that there was snow all over the road (the first that we have had since we have been here!!) it took us about an hour to drive this route but the views more than made up for it.

We finally descended down into Akaroa and it immediately had a nice feel to it. The town was first settled by a French Whaler back around 1840, so there is a lot of French influence still around including buildings and some of the streets are french names like Rue Lavaud and Rue Jolie. Once parked up we had a browse around the shops and the streets looking at all the old buildings before heading to the bay to eat our picnic lunch. Mel decided it was a good idea to feed the birds again and before we knew it we were surrounded by them and had to retreat to what we thought was the safety of the car.

The birds followed and surrounded the car and even when I drove off they flew along side the car for a while (they must have really liked roast beef and mustard sandwiches!!!)

We are now back at the hostel and are having pizza as its our last night where we can stay up as we have that early flight on Thursday morning so early to bed tomorrow.

Kia Ora

M & M