Farewell Christchurch: In Search of Mountains, Lakes, The Universe & Beyond
- Two's Company
- Oct 26, 2025
- 3 min read
Thursday evening brought a wave of frustration. As the sun set in Christchurch, severe weather shut down the rail lines and closed the roads, forcing us to abandon our original plans yet again.
A swift pivot was necessary. We cancelled Friday's accommodation, booked a new place, and secured a rental car, a small SUV. After a day of unexpected logistical hurdles, Two’s Company was finally back on track!
Friday morning, we were ready to go! Minor set back as we had to skip the bus or did the bus skip this cashless pair? Not to worry wifi connected and Uber needed to reach the rental office booked.
The car pickup was easy enough, or so we thought. "Video all the car to prove previous damage," our eldest, Rebecca, advised. Fifteen minutes later, video captured, we struggled to open the boot to load the bags, that is when the sales assistant quickly informed us, we had the wrong vehicle.
A minor hiccup and a quick switch with a second swift video and we were finally sorted.
Leaving the city under our own steam felt like a fabulous change. We headed toward the mountains, driving first through incredible lowland scenery open spaces, vast irrigation systems and farming communities offering a different viewpoint at every turn.
Lake Tekapo: An Electric Blue Surprise
We were disappointed not to be making it to the alpine village of Franz Josef, but the Dark Sky Reserve at Lake Tekapo was an exciting, dramatic alternative. Suddenly, the turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo were upon us, an astonishingly electric blue as the wind-driven swell cascaded onto the rocky shore.
Arriving at our accommodation was interesting. The cabins looked a little like huts from the outside, but inside, they were cosy and modern. Here, it was just the cold breeze, the mountains and us, a welcome contrast to the hustle and bustle of city life we had been part of for the previous two weeks.
Shepherd's Rest and Southern Alps
The rest of the afternoon was spent strolling around the water's edge, soaking in the stunning scenery and the quaint Church of the Good Shepherd.
It’s a simple, charming stone structure framed perfectly by the turquoise lake and the magnificent Southern Alps, creating a breathtaking scene of tranquility.
Standing nearby is a loyal bronze sheep dog statue, beautifully capturing the enduring spirit of the shepherd's best friend against the vast, rugged landscape.
We also managed a quick stop at the observatory, which housed the magnificent Victoria Telescope, a fascinating piece of astronomical history.
It's an 18-inch refracting telescope crafted in 1894 by the renowned Pennsylvanian optician John Brashear. It is a nine-meter-tall marvel built of brass, iron, steel and wood, embodying the peak of Victorian-era telescopic technology.
The Heavens Alight
Before we knew it, time had slipped by. We took our seats at the restaurant table, warmed by a lovely enclosed fire.
The views of the lake and mountains remained breathtaking as the sun slowly set and night began to fall.
Excitedly, we walked back up the hill to our hut, the highest point on the hillside. The view across the lake and mountains had now given way to the majesty of the dark night sky.
The heavens above were suddenly alight with the most magnificent show of starlight! We walked into the dark further, hoping to see more. Even when we returned to the hut, the display was fabulous. It’s a shame we couldn't take images that truly reflected the universe as we could see it before us; pictures simply do not capture the gravitas we experienced.
What a truly unforgettable day! The sun and the stars displayed the world and creation so perfectly and will never be forgotten.
We left the wonderful scene feeling utterly fortunate, after all by then, it was blooming breezy and a tad chilly to be fair!
It was magical! X
Thats one of the things l would love to see, a view of a heavy starlit sky. X