Saturday, November 3, 2007

Blenheim, New Zealand




Blenheim, New Zealand
Northern South Island


It is Saturday evening, November 3, 2007. We did not report on our blog yesterday so this will be another catch up.

Yesterday morning we got up and after breakfast went with Bob and Evelyn to their holiday home. They had not been there since before they went to the states in May. The scenery along the very curvy road was spectacular! Their place is located near the Akaroa Harbour in Wainui. They have several fruit trees in the back yard and Evelyn gathered fruit, flowers and did some trimming while Bob and I used 2 mowers and mowed their lawn. I think Duff had a nice nap while we were outdoors. Evelyn had quiche prepared for us for lunch which was quite good! On the way back to Christchurch we walked around Akaroa, a neat little village established by French settlers in 1840 and stopped for a Latte’. We had been following the weather forecast and it did not yet look promising for the route we wanted to take which was west and south!

This morning we got up and due to the continued poor forecast for the west coast made our decision to travel north and see what we could. We did enjoy the scenery all day from the mountains to the sea! As we drove through the lush green rolling foothills leading to the mountains and observed all the sheep grazing all I could think about was the 23rd Psalm! Surely that was what David was seeing when he wrote that Psalm. Green pastures and still waters, the sheep and their shepherd!!

Stopping for lunch in Kaikoura, we sat outside and looked to our right and saw snow capped mountains and to the left the South Pacific Ocean. Driving along we saw seals sunning themselves on the rocks along the shore. It was truly an incredible drive. We arrived in Blenheim around 5 pm and after checking out several places we found a nice motel room.

Tomorrow we will tour the Marlborough Sounds area at the top of the south island before making our way to the west coast. We plan to take the next 3 days touring what we can based on weather. And cross back to Christchurch Tuesday afternoon where we will stay again with Bob and Evelyn before flying out on Wednesday the 7th.

Pictures are: 1) view from The Meikles holiday home 2) Mary and Jim today at lunch. We will check email and publish this in the morning before leaving town…having located a travel cyber spot this evening. Our best to all!
Mary and Jim

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