On to Christchurch

There was ice on the grass at 7:30 pm last night, but at 5am, when bladders were really complaining, the grass just had a dew on it.

The air bed is comfortable and we weren’t too cramped.  It is a bit of a task getting in and out, but it is cosy.

Jim checked the APRS and it showed our path to Geraldine but unfortunately it was not working this morning, and he didn't get a chance to look at it today.  Something for tomorrow.

Stopped at Ashburton and was really surprised at the town.  All the major stores are represented and the traffic is pretty light.  Went to SuperCheap looking for a tap for the thread on the roof rack, but no joy.  Bought a couple of cheap tarps for the awning setup and some detergent for the windscreen.  There was a special on which included wiper blades and Bars Bugs.  The girl came and had a look at the van.  Two different wiper blades are used, a thicker one for the driver and a thin one for the passenger.  It looks like those corporate accountants have been trying to save money again.  The girl said it was quite common on modern cars.  Of course this combination blade setup wasn’t included in the special.

Also spotted at Bunnings on the way out of Ashburton, and found that the heater has a tip over cutout, so it must be sitting correctly to operate.  Tested it and it’s fine.  It wasn’t sitting on a hard surface last night.  Also picked up a set of taps and dies, that we don’t really need, but it’s the only way to get a 6mm tap and a tap wrench.

The splash and dash charging to 80% is working well.  

Somehow we turned off the Eco mode and it really drove like a normal car, but the GOM dropped by 6%.  So we are now back on economy mode.

Ashburton and Rakaia was the first places where we have seen a blue and white information sign advertising EV Charging.

At Rolleston, we were taken through some of the quieter area of town to a triple charger setup, near New World.  We would not have seen these areas of town without an e-car.  There were charging points for four vehicles, two being on the Type 2 AC charger, which is free and for which our cable does not work.

On the way in, we even saw three working trains.  Probably the of the South Island's engine stock.

In Christchurch, we had an afternoon of getting things sorted out.  Jim tapped the missing thread into the roof rack.  He assembled it a couple of times as the dimensions specified were a bit out and had to be adjusted to fit.  Now we have a fully functional and secure roof rack.

He also put up an awning, constructed from a  tarp and little else, to give us a drier entry when it rains.  Finally, using a double layer of bubble wrap, he created thermal blankets for most of the windows.  Although the temperature went to 10C, with a cold wind, tonight is going to be 2C.

The computer on the van has now recalibrated itself and is more accurate with its guesses being about one km per percent of charge.

We have decided to go to Taupo from Palmerston North, via Napier, and then to head directly from Taupo to Cambridge, rather than via Waiouru and Rotorua.  There are less fast chargers, but more camping grounds for a top up.  So now the trip has to be reworked.

You never know what you will find in McDonalds.  It's almost like being in Walmart.  Trev came to mind when we saw the onesy. 

Rakaia's famous salmon

EV Refueling Signs

Juicing up

 The awning before the wind flattened it and it was put up again.