The overnight rain had cleared by the time we woke up and made a fairly early start on the last part of our campervan journey. The road across Arthurs Pass was steep and windy in places but not too difficult and the views were again quite stunning. We had thought we had seen the best of the South Island but at almost very turn of the road we were presented with another wonderful view. The area around Lake Pearson was particularly beautiful. The only difficult part of the journey was across the impressive but scary Otira viaduct where I was stuck behind a very large lorry with trailer that proceeded at about 10kph. I would have preferred to reach the other side a bit more quickly. I had my eyes glued to the road and when I asked the lovely lady wife to describe the views she admitted she was looking straight ahead as well.
We arrived at the Maui camper van base in good time and returning the van was like losing an old friend; it had become such an integral part of out life for the last two weeks.
Took the shuttle bus into Christchurch and checked in to the Canterbury Club; very English. A ride on the tram and a quick wander around the city before meeting Miles, Emma and Rurai for a quick gin & tonic or two and then dinner at the Curators House which was very good and we discovered yet another excellent Otago Pinot Noir, Explorers.
We finally tried west coast Whitebait which was excellent.
The next morning, Friday we awoke very much in going home mode and managed to repack everything into our cases - no mean feat. Off for a quick wander around the city, a punt on the river and another ride on the tram before waiting 25 mins for our taxi which did eventually arrive.
Now in the lounge at Christchurch airport waiting to board the flight to Sydney; the first leg of our journey home.
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