MT SOMERS — AKAROA, 23rd March, 2021

Left Mt Somers and continued along the Scenic Highway 72. Really a beautiful drive running parallel to the Southern Alps. So much better than going up the no 1 highway. We went as far as the Rakaia River Gorge. Here we met up with Chris our old neighbour from Braemar again. We had a quick chat and he was on his way. We then back across the bridge and went down the southern side  of the Rakaia river to Rakaia.    We got back on  Highway 1 for 20km then turned off to go out to Akaroa bi-passing Christchurch. Arrived at the Akaroa Top 10 Holiday Park about 2.00pm  and just stayed in camp for the rest of the day. Great site looking down over Akaroa Harbour from up the hill. I booked this site H some time ago to get the right  spot.

The photo depicts Mt. Somers. This is up behind the little settlement of Mt. Somers which is on the Canterbury plains, where we stayed.

We ran parallel with the Southern Alps for some 25kms. 

And we passed by some beautiful farms. Most of the farms are dairy farms and the stock numbers were significant, well over 200. 

 

Looking over to Mt. Hutt.

Close up of Mt hutt. Trying to see some evidence of the ski fields. Could just see a small white dot up the top which could be a building.

Looking over the valley of the  Rakaia River  Gorge.

Now coming down the hill to see the Rakaia River.

Looking down over the river.

Met up again with Chris our old neighbour at Braemar  Road at the Rakaia Gorge. We knew that he was heading the same way as us but he  got away a lot earlier. Aged 62 he is a very fit man and very determined. 

We have to cross over the Rakaia River over two bridges . Coming up from the south this is the first one,  with Mt Hutt up behind it.

Then the second one just about 50 mts apart.

After taking photos from water level at this pebble beach we crossed back over the bridge to travel back  a few K’s  before we turned off  to the left and travelled down the south side  of the river to Rakaia. Not that we saw much of the river.

It’s really great getting out on this back roads. This is the second time that we passed these cattle being transferred from paddock to paddock. While waiting we were chatting to the farmers telling what great farms they have in this area.  They laughed and said it’s their best kept secret. 

Look at this well manicured hedge. So many like this.

Another hedge. Green flat land as we  are still in the Canterbury plains. The roads are so good as the farmers told us they have very little traffic. Such long straight roads go for miles.

Continuing down the banks of the river, which we can’t see from the road, we finally found a very neat little road going into a little settlement called Barrhill.

At the end was a track, all mowed going to the cliff edge. So off I went to find a shear drop down to the massive Rakaia River.

To get these photos I was walking along a ledge, PT didn’t come he was back in the bushes. After awhile he called out are you still there!!! Leaning against this cliff edge I got my photos. Looking up the river.

Turning around now looking down river. It’s huge, not just that part where the water is running but all that flat land you can see. I would love to see it in the real wet season when that would mainly be covered with rushing water.

Back from my adventure on the cliff edge. The road behind is the access to this tiny community. They keep it so well all the street edges are well mowed.

This is one of their farms just like most farms along the Canterbury Plains.

Above and below. Community houses. 

We passed through Rakaia, got back onto the no 1 highway for 20km before we branched of again onto the quieter streets. We hated the noise and rush of the Highway. Couldn’t handle it after all our quiet time we have been having up in the hills.

Now turned off the Highway and back on the long straight roads bi-passing Christchurch on our way to Akaroa. Away from all that noise. Very peaceful and such better driving conditions for PT. 

Great little church.

This is one of the farmers irrigation systems I spoke about once before. They run slowly over the fields while spraying out the water. Some of them are so long they go for the whole width of a paddock. No wonder the farms all look so green.

So peaceful out here.

Now back out on the main road out to Akaroa. These pine trees fascinated me as the whole hill had been cleared and just this square was left standing up there all proud.

Lake Forsyth surround by these high hills.

Not sure what these guys were catching (could have been eels) but the lake edge had a bad smell.

Above and below a little area called Little River.

This is the outside eating area  out the back of the cafe where we stopped for lunch.

Not much here just this cafe and a few other buildings. On the far left is the old railway station but not in use any more.

Continuing on to Akaroa. Every thing is so dry.

We are now crossing over the big hill reaching 640m high. Felt very high looking down after coming up from sea level.

Over the hill looking down over Akaroa Harbour. We are nearly there.
More about Akaroa tomorrow. We will hopefully go up over the hills to catch some views. Then the shops.

Timaru — Mt Somers, 22nd March, 2021

Left Timaru heading to the unknown, Mt Somers. Glad to be heading out into the country again. Didn’t like traffic and general town busyness. Didnt know anything about this area, just what I have read. I thought this sounded like my sort of place to go and explore. It turned out, that I would say, I wouldn’t have missed it for ‘quids’ just loved it.  Especially on this perfect sunny day up in the hills.

After leaving Timaru we turned off the main highway north to highway 72. Heading to Geraldine. Had to stop and take this little cutie.

Now arrived at Geraldine. Stopped for a coffee and a wander around. Lovely little town.

One of the few older buildings around town. This is  a restaurant. Very attractive.

The church. You can just see the cross.

Of cause I couldn’t keep PT out of the cheese company. As we were walking in someone yelled out hello Peter and it was Chris our old neighbour in Braemar Rd. He was on his own doing the cycling tracks through NZ . He had completed Cape Reinhardt   to Bluff on his bike and was returning to Christchurch to fly home on Wednesday. He was just having some lunch in Geraldine. He was going the same way as us and was already going to stay at the same camp as us. Still on his bike. After our day up in the lakes we were sitting in the sun behind our camper and sure as, he walked up behind us so we had a chat about his adventure.

Left Geraldine on our way to Mt Somers. The  land was like this all the way. Flat well cared for farm land. But also these long irrigation systems you see a lot around the flat areas in the South Island. Some of them are huge and go forever like at 750 metres.  The sprinkle the water out and move along on the wheels across the paddock slowly.

All this flat farmland is up the back of the Canterbury plains. The roads in the south are all very good. In this area they are long straight roads. Seems to go forever.

Decided to book in early at the Mt Somers Holiday Park before we headed up to the Ashburton lakes up in the hills behind Mt Somers. This photo is the house  where the owners of the camp live on site to the right is the reception area. Very pretty.

Now we have checked in and booked our site.

We are straight back out on the road,

We are heading up into the hills and lakes. Yippee this is we’re I love to be. About 35min drive from Mt Somers.

Lovey scenery on the way as the mountains get closer.

Still in farmland but not the continuous flat plains. The hills have arrived.

We have now got to the end of the sealed road.

These buildings were the  farming working centre of Hakatere Station.  The stone cottage is one of mid Canterbury’s oldest buildings. Despite additions and alterations most of it is  1862 character remains. They say it was a lonely life for the few women that lived here. The white and red building is a row of bunk rooms to accommodate the workers.

Looking through the window of the stone cottage.

The farm manager’s house but the old carriage in the foreground has only three wheels. 

Continuing up to the lakes on a gravel road for 10 km 

We are now at Lake Camp, very pretty. In the distance you can see some Motorhomes, freedom camping. What a great spot. It so quiet up here a perfect day and no wind. So peaceful and hardly anyone around.

A little further up the lake looking back. Love these areas.

Now down the other area of Lake Camp. This lake allows motor boats. They do water skiing and any motor sport.  Also fish for trout. 

Just about 200 metres away is Lake Clearwater. You can just walk between the two lakes. We were amazed when we were talking to a local that there were 180 baches up here in the middle of nowhere. And sure enough came around the corner from Lake Camp was Lake Clearwater and there were all the 180 baches. I had only be expecting a few but  they were all neat and tidy. 

Probably about four roads going down to  Lake Clearwater full of tiny little baches all sitting very close to each other. All that space up there and years ago these little old baches  have been built so close to each other. Our van looks a little out of place. Most of the baches were all closed up only a few were occupied.

A few of the 180 baches up in the hills about 35mins up from Mt Somers.

Here we are parked beside Lake Clearwater to make our lunch which we had out on the table. That’s PT sitting there eating his lunch while I am trying to be a mountain goat climbing hills to take photos. Where all the caravans are are mainly owned by the wind surfers. Power boats are not allowed on this lake mainly used for windsurfing. Great area with the choice of two lakes, metres away from each other. One for powers boats and one for sail sports.

Looking up the other end of the lake. 

Looking down the lake towards the rugged mountains. Even a bit of snow.

On our way back to Mt Somers where we are staying.  There is a mountain called Mt Somers but the area we are staying at is on the plains before you gradually climb into the mountains. 

Continuing down the gravel roads.

Took this crossing over the only bridge.

This isn’t a house just an old shed. Maybe a hay  barn.

Back into the farm land.

Back to our campsite. Such a pretty garden. Just a small family  holiday park.  Unfortunately the site had just lost the sun but we put our camp chairs out on the drive. The flowers along the back looked lovely but without the sun on them they are hard to see.  If the sun is out before we leave tomorrow I will take another photo.

Good big sites. Big spaces between vans.

We are off to Akaroa tomorrow for three nights. I will re do the map over the next couple of days as we are going to go to Akaroa a different way as to what I have marked.