Something From Nothing

Monday, January 18^th.

Woke up to another rainy morning. After a continental breakfast at the Speight I hung out in my room for a bit trying to get motivated to go out. I Skyped Mom and Dad and had a good talk with them. I had nothing to do so I walked into town with Nicola who is still in town. She was heading to the Antarctica Centre and I decided to take a city bus to Sumner to hike in that area.

After I got off the bus at the end of the line I began to hike uphill along the Summit Road. I had decided to hike up and over the hills to the town of Lyttleton and then take a different bus back to Cathedral Square. After climbing for a couple of kilometres the road became a narrow paved track. I rounded one corner and came upon a sign that said you could not continue on that route because of instability caused by the earthquake. So I had a decision to make about which direction to go and without signposts giving any directions I opted to turn left and go around the top of the hill.

I walked a long way, without seeing anyone other than a few sheep and magpie. The scenery was beautiful and reminded me of Scotland. The weather was overcast and a bit drizzly but warm enough. I thoroughly enjoyed the walk. Eventually I reached a dead end at a parking lot at Godley Head Park and the beginning of a couple of mountain bike trails. There was also a short walking trail that took me to a military station built during the Second World War. It was a station which included artillery battlements for protecting the entrance to the harbour from the enemy. It was totally deserted and only had a few plaques explaining the significance of the buildings and the area.

I had walked at least 10 km and wasn't crazy about the idea of retracing my steps, so I opted to take one of the biking trails that went along the coast to Harris Bay and Taylor's Mistake (not sure of the significance of that!). Great hike along a narrow path up and over hills and down to a small town and a beach. Then I hiked further along the coast back to Sumner. So after five hours of walking I boarded another number 29 bus for the ride back to Christchurch.

Back at the hotel I met up with Nicola and Medi for a last dinner as they are both flying home tomorrow. Then back to the room to type and get a well deserved night's sleep.