It was some time since we’d loaded up our bus and were late in getting away. However our old Coaster fits us like a glove and we were happy to be away from that Apollo Camper we hired in Australia.
We stopped just before dark in Sefton behind the Ashley Hotel which has a parkup behind the pub. We played some pool (not being sure of the rules) but eventually we did manage to pot some balls and finish the game!
Below is the Rangiora Town Hall. Rangiora has really blossomed (IMHO) being a satellite town near enough from Christchurch without the constant earthquake reminders and feeling.
Heading down on the Tourist route inland from Amberley we took highway 72.This is the view along the majestic Southern Alps north of Methven.
We parked up at the Orari Golf course which we expected to be well used by the Ukulele Festival NZMCA’ers, but surprisingly we stayed 4 nights and only had 3 other motorhome stay overnight.
I biked down the road to the local mountain bike track near the Orari River.
Here we are finally in Geraldine outside the famous (in Geraldine) Running Duck cafe, which specialises in big Burgers, so big you’re in danger of getting lock jaw.
The Festival was superb, this is at one of the evening concerts held in the High School.
A huge pat on the back must go to the Festival team headed by Hugh and Fi McCafferty, and here they are performing on stage.
Paul Jonson doing his thing with various Ukuleles...a consummate performer with a very easy manner on stage.
He presented the latest in technology, with this illuminated Ukulele in various colours, not sure whether he was playing with the audience or not but he finally found the right “ON” switch and played some blue Blues.
He presented the latest in technology, with this illuminated Ukulele in various colours, not sure whether he was playing with the audience or not but he finally found the right “ON” switch and played some blue Blues.
I was late enrolling for this festival and therefore many of the workshops were already full, however I did take in the ukulele-making intro workshop lead by Geoff Cox and John Collings which certainly filled in a few details around the fine art of making ukuleles.
Many of the Cafes around town had performers during lunch times and impromptu busking in the street.
This is at the Saturday evening concert where Shane McAllister strutted his stuff, very high energy with many wonderful props.
I was enjoying the other acts so much I forgot to take photos,
Special mention to the visiting American musicians and tutors Erin and Nicole called “The Quiet Americans” who were superb in every way, including travelling with their 4 year old son Henry!
The weather was fine but really chilly with some heavy overnight frosts (even inside the bus) but lovely clear cold days (10-11 deg).
We motored home wanting to get north of the Lewis pass, this turned out to be a very good idea. We parked in the shingle pit north of Springs Junction and this is what we awoke to!
No biking today!
The shingle pit never looked so beautiful before!
We went back to Springs Junction to check if the road north was open (homeward to Richmond). At the garage we were told the Lewis Pass was closed but the Shenandoah was open and there had also been snow on the Hope Saddle too, so off we gingerly headed.
The snow soon cleared the further north we went, changing to rain, but we managed to carry snow into Murchison on our bike seats
Another motorhome adventure completed safely.
Keep cool and warm at the same time...always be creative...please tread that fine line between fun and stupidity.
In the words of Willie Nelson “I woke up not dead again today”.
Cheers
Jimu & Christine
Cheesh. It's been nearly tropical here in Welly compared to your travails. Nice blog 'n photos.
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