Cruising back to Christchurch

Last day of the road trip today. We are heading back to Christchurch through the Arthur’s Pass with a few stops on the way. The scenery in this area is spectacular. Mountains tower on either side of the floodplain or farms until they give way to narrow valleys.

Apart from waiting , waiting , waiting in queues while bridges were painted, loose rocks knocked down or roadworks completed before winter come, our journey was uneventful.

A must stop point is Otira . It was a train town and used to be a stop point for steam trains. It fell in to disuse and was purchased by an enterprising gentleman who saw its potential as a film set. Over the years we have visited it. There are many additions to its eclectic collections. There is every kitchen utensil or household machine, pianos books, crockery and curiosities.These are just a few.         

Perhaps you liked wizards and dragons.   

Next stop is near Arthurs Pass Village. Someone thought it might be fun to do the Devils Punchbowl walk to the falls. The Punchbowl Falls are 131 metres high. Only 2 kilometres for the whole trip. Easy. Slight problem……there are a few stairs.

396 stairs later ,we reached the Falls.

396 steps down again , we headed through Springfield then on to Sheffield. They have a reeeeealllllly good pie shop in Sheffield. Perhaps we should stop and see if they are still good.

Yes they are. It’s raining now  so no more stops until we reach Christchurch.