Introduction

Island Bay

My contract at Victoria University finished on the 25th of February.  Bev and I decided that a holiday at the end of my contract was a good idea and since she was ready to have a break after a few weeks of working it worked in well.  

The only thing to dampen our enthusiasm was that Omicron was spreading like wildfire.  However, we figured that provided we were careful that we would be pretty safe.  Also I wanted to go before tourists started dribbling into the country.  There is something really nice about being able to travel in your own country without the press of humanity in our remote and beautiful places.

It is ten years since we did the Central Otago Rail Trail and we had said that we wanted to do it again.  So that became the centrepiece of our proposed trip.  Two weeks before we were due to go a ferry was booked, and we started planning the itinerary.  I discovered that booking at the last minute is often cheaper than getting in early.  I guess that with not too many people about it is in the interests of the accommodation providers  to reduce prices to get some business.  Our itinerary takes us firstly to Picton, then Hokitika, Haast and Clyde where we set off on the cycle trails.  Then it is onto Queenstown, Te Anau, Dunedin, Christchurch, Hanmer Springs, Kaikoura and finally Blenheim.  

So join me as I write my little updates on the sights and experiences of our little holiday.