A fun filled rally day.

Our first full days driving on South Island was nothing short of spectacular. The route was billed as around 250kms with a large portion of that on gravel - that's always exciting. 

Car 10 decided to set off well ahead of the pack as we are not competing and therefore did not want to be continually overtaken and chewing on everyone's dust. Also, getting showered with gravel lacked appeal. We like to stop often to take photographs too. 

We started off towards the Ataware Valley on a sealed road passing many wineries with familiar names like 'Oyster Bay' these soon gave way to more rugged terrain, no habitation and the gravel roads. The road was well graded, although there were many lengths of washboard. It was huge fun. 

We were on a public road, that's only open through the summer months and where it can snow at any time of the year. It wasn't exactly busy. We may have seen 3 other vehicles for the whole journey. It did not disappoint. We went through part of Molesworth Staion - the largest sheep and cattle ranch in Mz at 10,000 acres. They monitor the animals by plane. My, it's remote. The Bristol handled it all with ease. Unfortunately, the giant Cadillac bled its transmission oil all over the road and completed the journey on a tow truck.  The giant Lemberg Mercedes also damaged its sump and has a new one being delivered. 

This rally is very civilised; we have all been issued with lovely picnic baskets that are filled with lunch goodies for us on the more remote routes. One thing we are not short of is delicious food. The standard here is really very high. 

We arrived, exhilarated and covered in dust, at our home for three whole nights, Hanmer Springs, a small thermal spa resort.