Tekapo Canal

 The cycling part of my holiday has begun. I cycled along part of the Tekapo part of the Alps to Ocean journey, starting down along the Canal road where cars were excluded. This route was partly gravel and partly sealed, and I had a 20km trip down until there was a steep drop-off and a view of Lake Pukaki. Then a 20km return. Very flat and barely any breeze. 

The barrier that kept most cars out- though a Genesis vehicle did come through, driving very considerately. The design for the cycle part is very clever. You can wheel your bike through the wider section while moving through the adjoining bit yourself. 

The first part of the route was really just me and the canal. The sloped ‘hills’ either side were very brown and dry. As I progressed along, the view opened out to the ranges. On my return I caught some reflections of the ranges in the water of the canal. 

At a convenient 11km of my journey was a toilet and picnic table. I presume one of the companies that takes groups along here provided it, but I was grateful at the time!

At the end of 21km I reached this viewpoint down over Lake Pukaki. It was my endpoint for the day. It was a place where fishermen were hopeful. And I retraced my ride back to my car. 

Last photo- my wifi is slow and daylight is coming to an end at the camping ground. (More another day.)

This last photo is of a section of the salmon farm, which started at 16km of my journey, and stretched along for a surprising distance. Workers were feeding the fish as I cycled past, but had mainly finished on my return journey. 

Duvauchelle sojourn

 Between a family reunion and a wedding in Christchurch, I spent several nights in Duvauchelle exploring Banks Peninsula. I loved the peacefulness of the camping ground. Here is a selection of photos.

The interior of the Catholic Church in Akaroa.

Akaroa building.

War memorial in Akaroa. 

Another French style building in Akaroa. 

Boat sheds in Duvauchelle 

Whaling pot along the harbour front in Akaroa.

Heron finding food in Duvauchelle. 

The view from the Summit Rd. 

The view from my tent site in Duvauchelle. 

Two different sunsets on successive nights. 

South Island Sojourn

 I'm having a bit of a sojourn in the South Island at present, and have just been part of a family reunion this past weekend. But I am going to dump a pile of random South Island photos here, in random order!!

Christchurch Town Hall fountains reflected on a very calm morning.

Two waka on the Avon in front of the Edmonds Rotunda.

A giant crayfish, north of Kaikoura

In the Marlborough Sounds

Passing another Interislander. It was coming into Wellington Harbour as we were leaving it.

View down to Lyttelton Harbour from the Gondola.

Mural in downtown Christchurch

Bright and shiny after restoration

So many beautiful sights walking towards the Riverside Markets via the Avon River

Monarch Butterflies at the back door

It's a while since I dignified this blog with any new posts...however, with a recent decision to delete Instagram, here I am again! 

Today, it's all about monarch butterflies. I planted some swan plant by my back door steps, and it wasn't long before caterpillars were munching away on the leaves, and soon enough it was time to watch the first chrysalis form.

Today it was hatching day for four of these. It was a source of great distraction all day, popping outside to check how the opening of the wings was going. I was delighted to catch sight of one as the first bits of black popped out of the clear case, and the wings and body forced their way out.

So, in no particular order, here is a collection of photos from the swan plant outside my back door. Summertime joy!