A Blogger in Black

Wednesday, 17 January 2024 Sandra: We woke to another cloudy morning but knew that it would soon start to clear, breakfast done and car packed and we set off towards Woodend, our next 2 night stop over on the East coast on SH1.   We are still moving north towards the ferry in about a week’s time.   The run was very pleasant and driving time wise was just under 3 hours, so 1.5 each.   Once we were out of the mountains – in reality that started as we passed the motel/pub we had eaten at the night before, the land turned greener and water was back in the rivers again.   As we had plenty of time on our hands, we drove steadily enjoying the changing scenery including the steadily rising temperatures again.   I also noted that my breathing was returning to normal – the altitude we had been at for the last few days had an impact but I started to feel much better.   I had not given it a thought being so high up – more important things to think about – the sce...

Monday 15 th January Back on the road again today and it was surprisingly cool as I emerged from the motel room to load the car up, The dash display confirmed as much indicating only 11 degrees, the coldest it’s been so far. However it was still a damn sight better than at home so neither of us were moaning! Supplies had dwindled so on the way out of Queenstown we called at the Pak n Save supermarket to get stocked up, procuring enough food for about 4 days. While we have plenty of room in the car the freezer bag is only so big so the amount of fresh food we can carry is limited.   The Elantra was fuelled up too, for the first time since Invercargill and then we were back on the road heading north. The first place of interest on route was Arrowtown , the coffee shop, Arrowtown Bakery & Café, got good reviews online and in print too so that sealed the deal.   Two lovely coffees and a custard croissant – sitting outside under a lovely big umbrella in the sunshin...