Beautiful Lake Tekapo

Hanmer Springs and Christchurch

After we left the Abel Tasman we drove to Hanmer Springs where we rented a house for a few nights of relaxation. Hanmer also has the hot pools so we spent some time there too. We left Hanmer to drive to Tekapo and spent some time in Christchurch on the way - it was interesting to see how the city is rebuilding and we enjoyed the creativity of the container mall and the new Margaret Mahy playground. 

Girls soaking in the sun at the hot pools.

Meggie went for a run and took this photo.

Real fruit ice cream on the way to Christchurch - yum!!

The Cardboard Cathedral in Christchurch.

We lit a candle for Margaret and Hugh

One of their favourite stores at the container mall.

Lunch by the food trucks.

The remains of the old Christchurch Cathedral.

It was really fun to see all the outdoor art around the city.

Margaret Mahy playground.

Our South Island Adventure Begins!

The girls and I had a great summer adventure in the South Island with the Reed family. Nicky and I had planned the trip for almost a year and we managed to squeeze most of it in between Margaret's funeral and Hugh's memorial. It was a good distraction for us and also a good time for Dugald and his siblings to have time together to grieve and to sort out their parents house and estate. 

Our trip began with an early morning ferry ride from Wellington to Picton, then a few hours driving from there through Nelson to Marahou where we spent the night in a holiday park before beginning our Abel Tasman walk.

On the ferry and ready for fun.

Minutes before Katie dropped her phone 7 decks. . . from the viewing deck to the car deck... and it survives!

Girls cooking our dinner.

In front of one of the cabins the next morning ready to head out- rough weather, rough seas and recovering from a rough night. Cough. 

Posing in front of our water taxi before things got really ugly.

Thankfully we had a great driver.

This doesn't look bad but trust me, once we were out of the harbour it was terrifying. 

Finally on dry land - we checked out a waterfall near the beach where we were dropped off then we were on our way.

So I fell on the first day. 

We arrived at our first hut and the tide was out - but it didn't take long before we literally had water lapping at the grass.

Jo checking out our route for the next day.

Oh how I love sleeping this close to strangers. 

Making dinner 

Tide starting to come in.

Elie with the first night's hut in the background.

Beautiful girl in a beautiful place.

Charades with our hut mates.

And we're off again

Beach Break - Torrent Bay

Ellie and Anna the mountain goats

Swing bridge

Meggie and Katie making their dinner.

Katie and Anna work on their dinner now - Nicky lighting the cooker.

Good morning sunshines!

Time for breakfast

Ready to start another day of walking.

Good morning - the baby is getting grumpy. This sort of behaviour is not allowed E!

Last day - leaving from Anchorage Hut.

We did it!!

Celebratory cafe stop before we hit the road to Hanmer Springs.