23 October, 2024
Yesterday, catching up with family. Today, the start of the journey home, again on an inland route. The first part was on SH1 up to Waipara, where we turned on to SH7. This part was not new territory for us, though the last time we travelled this road it was in 2017, in the other direction, from Hanmer Springs on SH7A and then SH7 (https://southislandroadtrip.wordpress.com/). But after a stop at Waikari for an ice cream, and shortly after Culverden, we turned on to route 70 to get to Kaikoura via Waiau and Mt Lyford. This was a new route to us. It comes out about 5 kms south of Kaikoura. The first half was classic plains farmland and rolling hills. The second was more hilly, twisty turny, making me wish I’d not had an ice cream a short time earlier. It didn’t help that it was a hot Canterbury norwester day, tipping at least 26 degrees and I’d guess higher in places. L says it isn’t a road he’d take again, but I’m not so sure. I think it would be a good option going south, towards the start of a day’s journey. I also think we’re in that ‘let’s get home’ mode that always seems to come towards the end of a road trip–we’re both ready to be home. Incidentally, on the last bit, nearer Kaikoura, we saw more camper vans travelling than we’ve seen in total for the rest of our road time. Probably early starters for the Labour Day weekend.
Off Highway One 