We seemed to be the first up in the morning - so had the place to ourselves whilst we ate b/fast. Weren't in a great hurry to leave such a nice BPs, but were ready to go, with all the morning jobs done, by 10am. Had a final chat with Ben & Katie, said our farewells, and left (sans L's soap dish!). Drove a short distance along the peninsula to the seal colony, to get up close & personal with a group of NZ fur seals. Afterwards, stopped at the roadside for a taste of (very expensive!) crayfish (kaikoura = to eat crayfish). Kids enjoyed the fritters, adults were somewhat underwhelmed!

Turned inland, to follow the scenic route south, passing some fantastic limestone rock formations, crossing the Amuri Plain (very flat!), stopping very briefly at Red Post Corner - a not very interesting historic site! More limestone weirdness at Weka Pass, then stopped for lunch at Waipara. Initially, we were going to eat at the historic steam railway, but there was nothing much there, except a couple of sheds. Then stopped at a kids play area, and no sooner had we got the lunch out of the car, it started to rain heavily! Ended up eating in the car, in the rain, at the side of the road!

Continues south, rejoined the SH1, and were soon entering the northern suburbs of Christchurch. As we were talking to the kids about the recent earthquake, we realized that we were driving past houses that were damaged and demolished. Tried to get as central as possible, but the city centre is still completely closed, and there were cranes & workmen everywhere. Another chilling reminder of the power of the local geology.

Headed south, out of the city, through a long tunnel and into Lyttleton. A wrong turn at a roundabout took us to the waterfront, and again, we were faced with building after building with missing walls, broken glass, piles of rubble, or just empty space where buildings used to be.

Drove round the harbour and up into the surrounding hills to join the road to Akaroa. Long, flat drive along the coast & then shore of Lake Forsythe, then a steep long climb until cresting the hill, to see one of the most beautiful views in New Zealand! Navy & turquoise water in Akaroa harbour, surrounded by steep hills, with the town nestling on the shore line. Just gorgeous! Again, another example of the power of the geology, as this whole landscape was created after two massive volcanic eruptions, and the flooding by the sea of the resulting craters.

Drove down the hill, into Akaroa (eulogising about the view the whole way!), and visited the Information centre for advice on local accommodation. Phoned one BP's, but only 3 beds available (& poss not too keen on having kids), then drove up the road to another, which was open, but completely empty! Waited around for a while for someone to turn up, but eventually gave up & drove to the Top 10 Holiday Park, just out of town. $92 for a nice (but not spectacular) cabin with good shared facilities, and a truly wonderful view! Kids played in the play area while D cooked, & after eating, went straight to bed. L started chatting to a nice German couple (Anna & Christian) who were on their honeymoon, & about to set up home in London, where he works.