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.