Oops, we did it (the South Island) again... (Final, Part 6)

**Hitcher** · 5th April 2005, 19:31

Thursday 17 March: Ashburton, Rakaia, Leeston, Lincoln, Akaroa, Lyttelton, Christchurch.

For the second time we bid fond farewells to Mrs H’s folks and to Ashburton. The weather forecast was threatening showers, possibly.

Our first hint of rain was at Rakaia where the road was wet and the verge puddled. We were not rained upon, fortunately.

True to form, we departed SH1 as soon as possible north of the Rakaia River bridge and took the back roads to Akaroa, via a lovely series of rural towns, notably Leeston, Irwell, Lincoln, Tai Tapu and Little River. It pays to be vigilant on this route as the Lads in the Technicolor Holdens patrol this stretch.

Leeston saw a fuel and pie/coffee stop. The bakery next to the Challenge station on the main street does excellent pies and milky coffee. We stopped again at Little River for a stretch and other forms of comfort.

And then up and over the hill to Akaroa. This road is magnificent and I am constantly envious of Christchurch bikers who have this at their back door. The cloud was down over the tops and we struck a couple of heavy showers between Duvauchelle and Akaroa.

As we parked our steeds neath the towering Norfolk Pines on the town’s waterfront, we noticed a couple of cruisers that had rumbled through Leeston earlier in the day whilst we were refuelling. A Harley Sportster and a Honda Shadow 1100. Two lady riders from Ashburton, one of whom on introduction, turned out to be Mrs H’s best friend from primary school. Fantastic!

After swapping email details we had a bit of lunch and a better cup of coffee. Despite threats of moisture, we escaped the peninsula largely unsullied by rain.

We turned off at Motukarara and took the Gebbies Pass over to Lyttelton Harbour. A meandering ride took us through the Lyttelton township, around to Sumner before arriving in Christchurch city. The traffic was, true to form, heinous. After securing a motel room off Bealey Ave, we took to the streets on foot. Dinner was at a most excellent Cajun restaurant (Zydeco). Highly recommended.

Friday 18 March: Christchurch, Amberley, Waipara, Scargill, Kaikoura, Blenheim, Picton, Home.

Our last day in the South Island dawned overcast but very warm. Escaping the ravages of Christchurch’s traffic we were soon at Amberley where we stopped for a bite and a top-up for the bikes. Northwest Café is highly recommended – Wellington standard coffee. Woo hoo!

Again we piked on part of SH1, turning off at Waipara to savour the delights of the Weka Pass yet again and, for the first time, the back road from Waikari through Scargill and back out to the Motunau intersection. Lovely! The Scargill road was a real “find”, capped off by delightful scenery. The lack of recent rainfall showed clearly in the parched hills. This countryside isn’t irrigated and was in desperate need of rain.

Back out onto the main road and the sky darkened and a heavy shower loomed. We stopped at Domett, donned wet weather gear and covered luggage. The showers continued until the Conway River, where things dried up a treat. The Hundalees aren’t much fun in the wet, so it was nice to have a dry road.

We stopped in Kaikoura for a decent coffee at Hislops Café and to take photos for Mrs H’s dad at Donegal House (owned by a cousin).

The day was improving steadily, making the second half of the Kaikoura Coast run most enjoyable. The sea was spectacularly huge, after a recent easterly storm that had washed away several North Island east coastal settlements. A lone surfer with board stood hitchhiking at Parikawa. One look at the sea said he probably had the right idea…

The Dashwood Pass came and went, as did the Koromiko road, and too soon we were back in Picton waiting to board the Bluebridge. Sigh.

Motorcycle touring is great fun. Even when you’ve done roads you’ve travelled before. Again we met new people and reminded ourselves of the great folk who also enjoy travelling on two wheels.

Thanks for reading this. We hope you enjoyed it.

[Photos: Mrs H and the whanau at Akaroa; The whanau at Lyttelton.]