Chill start to 2020

As I sit and type this blog I haven’t yet walked this year!!

I got picked up from Anakiwa by friends from Nelson and spent some time with them, through the New Year.

I shopped for 2 x 8 days and sent a food parcel to St Arnaud. After doing this I changed my mind about doing the Richmond Ranges as I’m not sure that I’m physically capable of doing it.

I booked a shuttle to St Arnaud, got there in beautiful weather but the forecast wasn’t looking good at all for Waiau Pass. So,yet again I changed my mind, and after 1.5 hours I hitched a ride with two Canadian sisters to Westport.

Here I met up with Angela, who moved to NZ two years ago from Whyalla. It was good catching up and seeing their little farm . It was also exciting to drive down to Hokitika to pick up a ram for the ewes! All in a days work 🤣

I was also then dropped off in Kumara to visit Jo…who I used to work with. I finally met her husband and their fabulous dog, Hugo. He is a huge cuddly puppy 🙂

Jo and I also went into the village to check out the renovated Hotel . Its looking very good!

After Jo, I stayed with young Louis and visited with many friends from my West Coast days. Good catching up on the past and the future!!

A few days later I did a rental car transfer from Greymouth to Christchurch Airport . Got a great zippy Holden Calais for $1!! No need to pay for fuel either!

Here I visited Lydia and Andre. We spent friday around Christchurch city centre to check all the changes since I was last here a few years ago. There is def more of a vibe and many more buildings and restaurants up. There are not a lot apartment buildings around though, so apparently the night life dies quickly. The big earthquake was in February 2011.

We also visited the Christchurch Art Gallery, which is where the art has been photographed.

SUCH HUGE THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HAD ME STAY, FED ME AND WATERED (READ CIDER) ME FOR THE LAST FEW WEEKS!!! YOU ARE FABULOUS!!!! So glad to catch up with everyone!!