South Into Winter – via Hanmer Springs

Sunrise near Hanmer SpringsEach winter that we’ve been on the road we’ve gone north. This time we’ve headed south, and not without some apprehension. We thought we’d soften the shock by starting with some hot pools. And there’s none nicer than Hanmer Springs. Last Wednesday we woke up at the NZMCA parking place just out of Hanmer Springs to see snow on the mountains. It did look like winter was on it’s way.

Sunrise near Hanmer Springs

Sunrise near Hanmer Springs

Sunrise near Hanmer Springs

Sunrise near Hanmer Springs

Sunrise near Hanmer Springs

Sunrise near Hanmer Springs

Once we got ourselves sorted out we headed into Hanmer Springs and straight to the hot pools. And straight into the pools. It is such a great complex with such a variety of pools. We enjoyed the sunny middle part of the day there. After resting up back at Suzi we headed back to the pools after dark for one more soak.

Hot pools at Hanmer Springs

Hot pools at Hanmer Springs

Hot pools at Hanmer Springs

Hot pools at Hanmer Springs

Hot pools at Hanmer Springs

Hot pools at Hanmer Springs

The sunset looked a little ominous and  it did precede a windy wet night. But next morning it started to clear again and the wind dropped so we were moving on.

Sunset near Hanmer Springs

Sunset near Hanmer Springs

Morning near Hanmer Springs

Morning near Hanmer Springs

We headed south towards Christchurch, hoping to beat an advancing southerly front. I was hoping for more rain on the way – to clean the front of the car. The drive down from Picton had included some rural roads with generous helpings of manure which Suzi splattered onto the front of the car. If the road is wet then Suzi’s tyres pump the water backwards onto the car, not unlike a waterblaster. But last Thursday morning the road stayed dry and the car stayed splattered.

We visited my brother and sister-in-law in Rangiora and went out towards Cust to see progress on their new house. The day was lovely and mild but while there the southerly front rolled on up and over us. Very obvious and interesting. No rain, just wind gusts and a dramatic drop in temperature. We moved on through Christchurch and stopped just south at Weedons at another NZMCA parkover place. It was time to get the heater going. Winter had arrived.

Southerly front approaching Cust

Southerly front approaching Cust

Southerly front approaching Cust

Southerly front approaching Cust

Southerly front approaching Cust

Southerly front approaching Cust

 

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