Ready to leave Blenheim wondering what this inland road would be like. Stories of wing mirrors being pinged off,potholes, and loads of trucks. Well it wasn't that bad, Certainly not UK style. It was pouring with rain when we left, but as the first 40 miles or so were just grape vines, scenery wasn't being missed. By lunchtime we had climbed into the hills and as the scenery improved so did the weather. We were travelling to Akaroa which is on a peninsular east of Christchurch. The start of this was pancake flat and we wondered what we were coming to. Then, WOW, I don't have adjectives to describe this area. It's beautiful. Steep hills covered with bright green grass, which I understand goes less vibrant as the season goes on. The views and the huge vistas are incredible.
Our accommodation was boutique hotel/motel. We had a little wooden cottage/cabin up the hill overlooking the water.
Our friends we had met were travelling a day ahead of us and they had sussed out a takeaway, so when we arrived after our long drive we sat with them on their balcony and had a takeaway and a bottle(s) of wine. A good end to a long day.