day 1 - arrival of our shanghai travelling companions
the previous day loading and driving our rental vehicle
a toyota-land cruiser-prado towing a covered trailer
contents - suitcases, bedding, food, kitchen equipment
an arrival into ashburton at sundown after an easy drive
some excitement chatting with the folks over a dark ale
next day heading out of town and - did you get the esky?
no and no - still on the kitchen floor - oh well - too bad
worried about flight arrival times so we push down and on
too much with some flashing lights tailing us at dunsandel
been wondering about the speed limit when towing a trailer
90kph i am informed - the radar has detected 113kph - ouch
that's $170 worth of lesson and a further issue is presented
the trailer is 2 years out of rego - ha-ha - just kidding
a newer sticker is found but not before cursing the rentees
pushing on more sedately to the airport and a longish wait
seems our 2 ladies - vun-ling and yin-lay have got caught up
but eventually emerging and excitement levels are very high
it's been 40 years since the 3 ladies were last together
the power of the internet re-establishing old friendships
we stack bags in the trailer, abandon it and are city-bound
cruise into a popular hagley park and a wandering we then go
the chatter continues unabated as kiwi takes the role of tour guide
following the avon river to the boatsheds as we previously planned
iced coffees all round on this beautiful spring day in christchurch
a plan to then wander into the devastation of the 2011 earthquake
this presenting an opportunity - a phonecall made - a plan hatched
while the ladies walk a drive back to dunsandel for a rendezvous
the esky is delivered and most importantly it's contents - food
return to city central and a pickup of the ladies and to the airport
a shorter wait this time for shor-tee and chew-my - all now present
the trailer now loaded to the max and likewise 6 people in the vehicle
all good - the power of the diesel engine making light work of it all
heading north on a congested road but soon easing up and cruise speed
our destination of hanmer springs reached easily and without incident
the gps leading us straight to our book-a-bach digs - alpine retreat
a spacious split-levelled wood-panelled home is ours for two nights
the decor a bit dated but it is clean, well-appointed and welcoming
beds and rooms allocated and dinner is conjured from the trailer
with 3 cooks on the case the kiwi food is given sino treatment
yum-mo - devoured while the chat continues - we are all happy
the rice wine also hits the mark as happy campers hit the sack
months of preparation now turning to reality - so far - so good
