CHRISTCHURCH — ASHLEY GORGE.

Called an Uber to take us to the Maui depot to pick up our motorhome. We are now finally on our way, the tree week trip of mainly lakes rivers and mountains with a peep of the west coast ending up back on the east coast for our last few days. We got away leaving Christchurch at 8.30am  after four nights staying in Riccarton with easy access to the city by bus. We were busy every day and doing lots of walking. Another beautiful sunny day but some rain was predicted this afternon. It’s now 7.45pm and the rain had started even a little thunder. We have noticed that the weather forecasts down here seem to get it wrong but today they were right. They have been saying rain for most days but we had good weather over the last week with rain coming in one night but cleared by the next morning.🤞for tomorrow morning, the start of our Arthur’s pass crossing. We might stop a couple of nights on the way. Not planning to do big driving days this trip, take it slower and spending more time in places doing extra side trips out to places we haven’t seen before. 

Just to remind everyone where we are planning to go. Today we headed one hour north/west from Christchurch to Ashley Gorge for the night, marked by the red dot. I will post post the map each night and mark where we are staying with this red dot. Tomorrow we are heading just over an hour to Porters Lodge a ski resort , which is up one of the mountains near the start  of  the Arthur’s Pass.  Not sure if we will just stop for a coffee and continue on or stay the night. Will decide when we get there.

We have left the east coast now heading towards the hills.

Arrived at Ashley Gorge Kiwi Holiday Park at Lunch time. Beautiful setting nice and green and lots of trees. The gorge runs  down behind the camp. Down the hill  behind our van., where the river flows through.

As soon as we had our lunch we went for a walk down to the river. Lovely peaceful area away from it all.

I met this chap down there.

Looking back the other way down the river.

I then went up to the road above, and walked across the bridge to take this photo looking up the river.

Looking the other way down the river very pretty area.

Now back walking through the camp ground. Very quiet only one other couple here.

Walking back to our spot amongst the trees.

It’s been a good place to take time out to  unpack and sort ourselves out. Now hoping for this rain to go through tonight and wake up to a bright sunny day.