Peter and Margie with Akarao harbour behind them

3rd February 2011

 43º48.1 south

 172º 58.0 east

Today we met Peter and Margie, our American friends from the BWR off the boat Peregrina.  They flew in from Brisbane, Australia where Peregrina has been based since leaving the rally in August.  We had a great time catching up with each other’s news over lunch then we drove into Christchurch to have a quick look around.  As the weather wasn’t very good we spent quite a bit of time in the museum.  We decided to have a proper look around when we return in a few weeks time… We all drove back to Kate’s where we enjoyed one of Barry’s delicious barbeques for dinner. 

Looking across Okains bay out to sea

The next day was hot and sunny so we followed the summit route across the top of the Banks peninsular to Akaroa.  Perched on the edge of a deep volcanic harbour, Akaroa is South Island’s oldest town.  Within days of the British declaring sovereignty over NZ in 1840, a shipload of French settlers founded Akaroa and it has remained French in spirit ever since.  The four of us strolled through the picturesque seaside village. 

Peter and Bill at craft fair

The local church had a craft fair, so we wandered through the stalls of hats, honey and homemade wine.  The foreshore is lined with cafes, art galleries and boutique shops many with a French theme.  We walked along the waterfront looking out at the boats bobbing around on buoys.  If we had brought Camomile further south this is one of the places we could have visited but the amount of beautiful days like the one we were experiencing were few and far between.  We drove back along the coast road.

Sue and Bill on the pier at Akaroa

French influence in Akaroa

Pretty Akaroa house

View across the harbour

Beach huts in Robinson bay