Banjo's 20000KM Service At Vanari

Thursday 28 May

After our late night, an early alarm as Banjo was due at Vanari Caravans NZ for her 20,000km service and a spot of warranty work. We packed an overnight bag to stay at Ella & Josh’s place as the work was due to take a couple of days and headed out into the mist across Christchurch to Sockburn where the new Vanari dealership & workshop is just opening up. We're not used to rush hour traffic - it was a shocker getting over there! And not improved by the mist & fog all around.

Leaving Banjo in safe hands in the shiny new workshop, we headed to CMG to check out a potential replacement for the Pajero - coming back next week for a test drive. Then on to Papanui so Louis could swim while I hit the op shops (lots of browsing but not much purchasing). Lunch at Riverside Market as that’s the law when you visit Ōtautahi Christchurch! - Katsu chicken for him and blue cod for me - yum! Had to save space for a sweet treat from The Great Pastry Co - so many delicious choices, today we went with a raspberry crème brûlée for me and a Paris-Brest for him.

We were just heading to Ballantynes to buy my Tea Total Earl Grey Tea when a voice called out Louis’ name… it was Matt! He was in town doing some voluntary work at the courts where he used to be a tribunal judge.

Next stop was West Eyreton to meet Mark who we will be house sitting for in early August. What a lovely guy - works for the SPCA and the family have spent the last couple of decades breeding & showing Shetland ponies. We will be looking after 2 ponies and 2 donkeys who we got to meet - looking forward to our first house-sit down south! Clockwise from upper left - Mr Bojangles, Ruby, Phoenix & Scarlett.

Back to Woodend Beach to spend the night at Ella & Josh’s - a dark walk on the beach, dinner and a spot of fashion advice(?!?) as Ella prepares for a wedding fair in a couple of weekends time. Josh was out at Games Night with friends so we missed seeing him until later.

Snuggles with the hoodlum hounds who were on good behaviour then a chilly night in the spare room, but warmer than in Banjo!