April 12th, Christchurch to Nelson – 448 kilometers

It was overcast with just a hint of drizzle as we left Christchurch and Dave was not pleased with Wells Fargo when he went to a cash machine and they had frozen his account, and no way to deal with it until Monday night! We headed up the coast to Waipara (the Waipara valley is the fastest expanding wine region in New Zealand) and then through fertile farming country past Culverden and then on towards Lewis Pass. Near Culverden, the sun broke through for the rest of the day!

Lewis Pass is only 907 meters high but the road down towards Mauia Hot Springs was spectacular as it twisted its way in tight turns between kawhai trees that blotted out the sun overhead. At Spring Junction we took the Shenandoah Highway to Murchison, a road with little traffic, long sweeping turns in a beautiful agricultural valley. We turned off at Howard Junction and came across a hand gliding club where they used a car to launch the gliders. Then we went to St. Arnault in the Nelson Lakes National Park and then on to Nelson along a twisty rural road.

We decided to go out at 10:00 to sample the local bar scene; but it was deserted; apparently no one goes out until after midnight!


1. The Rocking Frog Near Waikari 2. The Hope River Valley


3. Glider Landing Below St. Arnault