Greymouth to Christchurch

Today is our last day on the tour. We woke up and looked out of our porthole, we also had a picture window. Gwen went for a walk on the beach after breakfast.

We first went to Trimhauwhero Point for photos of the rock formation then on to Greymouth for a 90 minute break. The town is the largest in the area, has the only Pharamacist and Hospital for instance.

I had a look around the station buying some Railway Postcards, Gwen went to the Supermarkets (Yes more than one) and bought a bottle of wine (for tonight in Christchurch) a bottle of water and some sugar free sweets (trying to get back onto her diet maybe).

Just before we joined the coach the Trans Alpine express pulled in with 3 locomotives.

We headed up to Arthur’s Pass stopping at the Brenner mine which has been partly restored.

On the way up the pass which was very steep and windy there was an incredible scenery of landslips, glacial rivers and snow capped mountains.

After a cup of tea (we are British after all) we go down to the station, the train was 15 minutes late and arrived behind 6 locomotives, 3 added at Greymouth to tackle the very steep tunnels to Arthur’s Pass, these were left behind to get back to Greymouth on the next train tomorrow.

We have a lovely trip through the last of the mountains and the Canterbury Plains and arrive in Christchurch early despite the earlier delay.

The coach is waiting for us for our last journey to tonight’s hotel for our farewell dinner, which is a bit of a disappointment in the way it was organised (no separate area) and the food was at best reasonable.

We say our goodbyes, it has been an experience, very good generally and we feel tired, we need a few days rest.