Kaikoura to Christchurch

Finished packing ourselves and disposing of unwanted items before heading out this morning.  John, Alan and I did the Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway which took us a couple of hours and gave us some lovely views south.  I was a bit worried it was going to be too wet as we had rain last night but it was misty but lovely for walking.  The visibility was not great though.

Then we drove south to Christchurch.  The first section was right on the shoreline with mountains towering beside us, and then through some wooded valleys before heading to some more open plains.  Like everywhere else we've been  its been quite impressive.

We arrived in Christchurch about 3 and checked into our hotel, which is right behind the old cathedral. Alan and I went for a wander and found the new "Cardboard  Cathedral" which is very impressive.  The walls are shipping containers and the roof is clear polycarbonate sheeting and it is lined with huge cardboard rolls with timber beams through them.  It is a lovely peaceful building.

It is very sad to see the devastation still so obvious in Christchurch with many deserted buildings or spaces where buildings have been removed - though that does give lots of places for parking.

Shops near our hotel  

Late this afternoon we returned our motor homes successfully a the end of a scenic South Island road trip.