Earlier this week Terry and I flew from Christchurch to Invercargill on our way to Stewart Island. The plane travels at about 16,000 feet which, in clear conditions, gives passengers an impressive view of the South Island, similar to looking down at the map.

Here we are flying over the Waitaki River, just north of Oamaru. This mighty braided river is the one that Sophia and George came across as they headed up the coast from Port Chalmers. You can see why they chose to turn inland rather than cross the wide mouth of the river. And the rest, as they say, is history…….