Day 15: Alexandra to Timaru

Another long drive, up to the north, over a pass and back down again. Very empty roads and deserted surroundings--dry, almost treeless hills and huge bright blue lakes with limestone in the water. It's a long way between towns, but they seem to be thriving; Alexandra itself is quite large and Cromwell, further north, is also booming, although it's hard to see what there is to do here other than tourism and a bit of work in the hydroelectric industry. Lots of boats about, although given the size of the lakes you could easily think you were the only one there. And at least one houseboat, moored in a little inlet alongside one of the lakes near Cromwell.

Lunched in Kurow on chips and deep-fried mussels, then pressed on towards the coast. Started recognising names and signposts from my trip down. One poor farmer has had two of his (her?) dogs lost or stolen. He's printed posters of them and attached then to noticeboards over an area of several hundred square kilometres. so I hope he gets them back.

Got to Timaru about three, with the weather closing in, and went for a stroll in the Botanic Gardens. My first batch of mobile data has run out, so I had to top up my account and pay for some more, but of course I couldn't top up my account while on the road, because my mobile data had run out. Luckily the accommodation has excellent wi-fi, so I was able to sort it out.

It's a three-room cabin in the host's backyard, some way out of town to the west. The kitchen is a little cramped, but everything is here. I settled in and then went for a stroll around the neighbourhood.

I've decided to change my plans for the last week. I couldn't face two more long days of driving so I've decided to spend some time in Christchurch nearby and do walks from there. I was able to get a refund on most of the accommodation costs, and found what seems to be a nice place to stay in Lyttleton. Time will tell.

--
Jon Jermey
Indexer and database consultant
042 535 0422
webindexing.com.au

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