A scenic drive

This is a late posting.

We were up early so we could have breakfast before we set off.  The bird feeders were filled, a load of washing done and hung on the drying rack, our small bags packed and the luggage loaded into the car.  We set off at 08:50am, travelling up to Tamara and then turning inland at Winchester to follow the Inland Scenic Route.  We stopped at Geraldine for coffee and, once again, our friend surprised us by ordering a scone with jam and cream.  We stuck with the coffee.

After Geraldine we headed for Methven and then Darfield, where we made a brief comfort stop.  From there it was an easy drive to Christchurch airport, where we dropped off our friend at 13:20pm.  We also had a brief photo stop at the Rakaia Gorge.  The scenery was stunning, much nice than the boring Canterbury Plains along SH1.

We were meant to stay with my brother and sister-in-law, but he phoned on Friday to say that he’d tested positive for Covid, so we decided to stay at the motel in the city we stayed at in March. It’s convenient as we can leave our car with no parking charge and we can walk everywhere we want to go.  On our way in from the airport we collected two chairs we’d bought some time ago, which the store held for us and bought some cushion inners for cushion covers that will be arriving this week, hopefully.  MrM has designed the covers so we’re looking forward to their arrival.

We booked a table at Francesca’s Italian Kitchen, which we enjoyed so much in March.  On our way there MrM commented that all we needed was a Victoria Lounge Bar for our pre-dinner drink and lo and behold across the road we saw the Victoria Free House.  We crossed the road and went inside.  I had a “real” G&T, MrM had a Bristol Best Bitter.  He was very happy.  He was also very happy with his meal at Francesca’s - fish of the day with puttanesca sauce, potatoes and broccolini spears.  I had the duck ragu risotto.

I haven’t been on blip so am behind with comments.