Uninspired by Christchurch, we decided to head out to Akaroa on the the Banks Peninsula, taking in Lyttleton on the way. So after a healthy fruit and muesli breakfast we headed through the road tunnel to the south and into Lyttleton. The guidebook had described it as a lovely port, but instead we found a place piled high with shipping containers, cranes and ships. The surrounding was nice, but unless you like industrial shipyards, stay clear.
On we drove, then, to Akaroa. It was a slow drive around insanely windy roads, but it really was worth it – a lovely town with a quaint harbour and some nice cafes along the shore line. We stopped at one for a delicious bowl of seafood chowder and a brocolli and blue cheese pie. The cafe was superb, but we wish we’d arrived earlier as we picked up the very last pie.
We then drove back to Christchurch via the beautiful hill top route. Fantastic views across the peninsula and over the city itself. Back in Christchurch we took some time to upload some photographs before having a game of pool. Unfortunately accussations of ‘cheating’ were made during my round of the second game – Laura’s retaliation being an embarrassing spray of water aimed for my trousers. I was forced to retreat quickly to the room were, catching he unawares, I managed to even the score with a proper soaking. ‘Tit for tat’? Me?
We then sat to dry out for a while before heading to the Chinese takeaway just next to the jailhouse. We got a huge and tasty portion of chicken and mushroom chow mein and sat in the jail hall eating it. A little reading followed and then to sleep.
