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glitch_oz
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Previous part 10:
https://wilddogtours.co.za/forum/viewtopic.php?p=35040#35040
Out of Hanmer, across the Waiau River;clouds still low, it's through Culverden to Waipara and Amberley on the coast, just 40km short of Christchurch. We find a local Suzuki dealer who, for a little "donation", allows us the unlimited use of the steam-washer and we go wild on the bikes .
\
They have to be CLEAN for the Australian Quarantine Inspection upon arrival in Melbourne.
Some lunch
and a fairly clean run through Christchurch to find our way to Lyttelton and we're back to where it all started, the Tunnelvision Backpackers.
Jimbo'd sent a message recommending the Roach 'n at pub opposite for a memorable Burger and a cold Guiness, of course we had to try that, aye?
Through the tunnel the next morning and into the shipping depot for the packing up,
the booked People Mover appeared somewhere in between , perfect timing to throw our stuff into the back for the next 2 days of cage-sight-seeing around Christchurch. Up the Summit Rd. first
and the backways to Akaroa,
the old French settlement.
Bungee-jumpers EVERWHERE...even in Akaroa ;D
Slipping out the back of Akaroa on a small single-laner proved worthwhile, a magnificent marae (Maori meeting-house) with exquisite carvings well worthwhile the short trip.
While still close, we slipped through the tunnel to Lyttelton again to have a look at Timeball Station:
A castle-style building...sadly right in the middle of a makeover so we couldn't have a look inside.
The guide was still there and told us about this weird contraption which was used by the old seafarers to re-set their GMT- timing to local timing.
The ball-shaped top of the tower was raised 10 meters and dropped at exactly 1pm local time every day, captain could set their timing then?
It also acted as a navigational message relay station?
Ingenious stuff!!
Taking the back-roads proved a good move, the scenery spectacular, a myriad of hidden coves and tiny, deserted beaches feast for the eyes.
Some steep single-lane dirt-roads added to things as well, no way we would've done that with a loaded-up road-bike.
Some great roads up there...another one for the next NZ-trip
Black skies and drizzle started our last day, which didn't really matter, it was off to the Antarctic Center?
Good stuff here, lots to see and learn?. best of all was the WILD ride in the Hagglund, what a hoot )
Clouds had lifted a bit on the way to Sumner
and Taylors Mistake; some seaside suburbs of Christchurch, some of it precariously glued to the cliffs,
The chocolate-shop was a welcome surprise,
a walk through the Christchurch Gardens closed the day.
Next morning's early car drop-off went smooth, Virgin Pacific didn't goof this time around but still took the long way via Sydney Well, there it is: 5 weeks NZ, with 4.5 weeks out of that on the road.
What a trip it's been?. [grin]...and YES, we WILL BE BACK !!
A HUGE THANKS to all who came along, helped everywhere and made it an INCREDIBLE experience?
Next:
Shorts, info
https://wilddogtours.co.za/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2753
https://wilddogtours.co.za/forum/viewtopic.php?p=35040#35040
Out of Hanmer, across the Waiau River;clouds still low, it's through Culverden to Waipara and Amberley on the coast, just 40km short of Christchurch. We find a local Suzuki dealer who, for a little "donation", allows us the unlimited use of the steam-washer and we go wild on the bikes .
\
They have to be CLEAN for the Australian Quarantine Inspection upon arrival in Melbourne.
Some lunch
and a fairly clean run through Christchurch to find our way to Lyttelton and we're back to where it all started, the Tunnelvision Backpackers.
Jimbo'd sent a message recommending the Roach 'n at pub opposite for a memorable Burger and a cold Guiness, of course we had to try that, aye?
Through the tunnel the next morning and into the shipping depot for the packing up,
the booked People Mover appeared somewhere in between , perfect timing to throw our stuff into the back for the next 2 days of cage-sight-seeing around Christchurch. Up the Summit Rd. first
and the backways to Akaroa,
the old French settlement.
Bungee-jumpers EVERWHERE...even in Akaroa ;D
Slipping out the back of Akaroa on a small single-laner proved worthwhile, a magnificent marae (Maori meeting-house) with exquisite carvings well worthwhile the short trip.
While still close, we slipped through the tunnel to Lyttelton again to have a look at Timeball Station:
A castle-style building...sadly right in the middle of a makeover so we couldn't have a look inside.
The guide was still there and told us about this weird contraption which was used by the old seafarers to re-set their GMT- timing to local timing.
The ball-shaped top of the tower was raised 10 meters and dropped at exactly 1pm local time every day, captain could set their timing then?
It also acted as a navigational message relay station?
Ingenious stuff!!
Taking the back-roads proved a good move, the scenery spectacular, a myriad of hidden coves and tiny, deserted beaches feast for the eyes.
Some steep single-lane dirt-roads added to things as well, no way we would've done that with a loaded-up road-bike.
Some great roads up there...another one for the next NZ-trip
Black skies and drizzle started our last day, which didn't really matter, it was off to the Antarctic Center?
Good stuff here, lots to see and learn?. best of all was the WILD ride in the Hagglund, what a hoot )
Clouds had lifted a bit on the way to Sumner
and Taylors Mistake; some seaside suburbs of Christchurch, some of it precariously glued to the cliffs,
The chocolate-shop was a welcome surprise,
a walk through the Christchurch Gardens closed the day.
Next morning's early car drop-off went smooth, Virgin Pacific didn't goof this time around but still took the long way via Sydney Well, there it is: 5 weeks NZ, with 4.5 weeks out of that on the road.
What a trip it's been?. [grin]...and YES, we WILL BE BACK !!
A HUGE THANKS to all who came along, helped everywhere and made it an INCREDIBLE experience?
Next:
Shorts, info
https://wilddogtours.co.za/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2753