Wednesday, 8 DEC (that’s how they do dates here), 9th week of Locum Tenens in New Zealand

(Technical comment- these pics are much, much better on a laptop then a phone fyi….so……)

Quick review of last Sunday’s escapade- I decided I could go to Akaroa in one day, since everyone told me I could. Seemed easy enough.

I left late as usual planning a 5 mile hike once I got there. What an intense drive! It is hard to drive winding two-lane mountain roads with no edges when you are amazed at the scenery the whole time. My hands ached the next morning from gripping the wheel. Really super curvy little mountain cliff roads in low gear. OK I’m making it sound bad- it was dreamy. I would have more pictures but there are very few places to pull over, and never just when you think “OH! I want to stop and take a picture!” — because the drivers behind you are close. And if you miss a turn, plan on 5 more kilometers until you can find space to turn around, let alone pull over.

the town of Akaroa is top right…and at the bottom that’s not snow, it’s a pile of wool…

It was so beautiful- this unusual peninsula below Christchurch is over-the-top scenery.

sigh…..

I pulled over in a private drive here, got honked at

By the time I got to the town of Akaroa I was tired, and it had clouded over just enough to talk myself out of the hike in the cold wind. I walked around the cute town dying for a beer but NO NO NO, gotta drive home! Bought some fudge and ibuprofen instead and headed back.

After a while I pulled over on a side road to check my map, and there it was- a random sign for “beach road.” HUH. Beach? I’ll drive down this little road and see what’s there! I ended up on Birdlings Flat (unbeknownst to me)- a gorgeous stretch of rock beach with crashing waves. Very calming and serendipitous.

my footsteps

the video is better still

tiny little rocks

Continuing on, I was using my internal radar to get inland (because who cares), and loved winding through the farmland scenery.

All I could think of was the conversation of the land buyer ….”I just want a place with that also has a square acre of trees…no more, no less…”

I plan to do this trip again on a sunnier day if I am able, since I must own property somewhere here.. It’s worth doing twice despite the narrow curving dangerous life threatening mountain roads! Intense focus is healthy….. occasionally.

Christmas is everywhere.

Kia Ora,

Lynn

p.s. I risked my life pulling over to get that tree pic. You’re welcome.