Akaroa Excursion 2

10 Feb. It was a super moon last night and very bright on the campsite, providing a good test of my phone camera’s low light level capabilities.

After a slow breakfast, we packed camp and drove over the hill to Akaroa. We were on the water by 11:30 for a two hour paddle down Akaroa Harbour. The Queen Elizabeth cruise ship (2,100 pax) was moored in the harbour for the day with passengers being ferried to and from Akaroa pier. A useful size comparison and backdrop. Checking the cruise ship schedule, she was in Wellington yesterday, so she has done overnight what has taken me a month!! At least I don’t have to worry about coronovirus out here. 😊

The hire car had to be returned by 16:30, so after a quick cafe snack we said thanks and goodbye to Paul. He was staying another night for more research on his French immigrant ancestors who settled in Akaroa in the 1800s. The 90 min journey back to Christchurch was without problems and we made the car return time. Dan and Miriam had sorted out their city accommodation on the car journey back and we said our goodbyes as we separated with our world on our backs again.

Phoning around for my accommodation, there were no vacancies anywhere until I reached Max at Abbots House B&B, Sumner Beach; he had one room left. The Purple line bus ran right to the door from the city centre. After a shower, a lamb saagwala at the Own Masala restaurant. Haven’t had a curry since I left Wellington.

Finished off the evening with a walk back along Sumner beach, watching a still full moon rise over the sea. There are probably few places in the world where strangers feel comfortable starting conversations on a dark almost deserted beach, but I had a very enjoyable chat with Susie who was also photographing the moon while walking her young dog. She had recently returned to Christchurch having had a career taking her world wide. On evenings like this, one can see why.

Before I start the next section tomorrow, a big thank you for all your donations. There have been over 65 donations to date raising about $5,000 (£2,500) in total for the two charities. I have covered 450km of the 1,300km so far. Still a bit to go on both fronts. 😊

The next section will be about 5-6 days without comms to post my updates, but as usual you can check where I am on the map page.