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Balrog
12th September 2009, 14:56
MagicFairy and I love the South Island and we always try to spend a couple of
weeks a year touring around it.

We think this time of year is fantastic for touring as the weather is usually starting to pick up. Its not to hot or cold and there's not many people around.
You get good deals on accommodation as all the places are empty.

Fantastic :)

Anyway, here's some pics of our travels.

Day one:
Arrive in Picton about lunchtime, head over to Ward to see some friends and then back down to spend the night in St Arnaud


The days route
Couldn't fit the GS in the room
It rained heavily on the way down, today is overcast and looks like rain as well

Balrog
12th September 2009, 15:01
After getting rained on all morning, the weather finally picked up as we passed through the buller gorge.
That was the last rain we got on the whole trip.


The Days route
Lots of cool tracks in the Buller gorge
MagicFairy tries out her replacement sun glasses
Nice place to stay at Punakaiki
The beach outside our motel

Balrog
12th September 2009, 15:08
Day three sees us heading down to Franz Joseph.
On the way down we make a detour to checkout Lake Kaniere


The days route
Some Lake shots, stunning scenery here
Nice little water fall

Balrog
12th September 2009, 15:13
We did the run down to Queenstown today.
Bit nippy on the way over the crown range, not raining though :)


The days route
Morning view from Franz Joseph
Top of the crown range

Balrog
12th September 2009, 15:20
Plan for today is to get the bike onto the Earnslaw and take it over to Walter Peak.
Then ride down to the main road and head over to our friends place in Waitahuna.


The days route
Waiting to get on the Earnslaw
Nice view in Queenstown, but to touristy for our liking
Squeezing the GS on
Fun doing a 180 in this tiny space
On the way over

Balrog
12th September 2009, 15:23
Just about to dock at Walter Peak
Putting the luggage back on, wouldn't fit up the gang plank
Few scenic shots of the way down

dino3310
12th September 2009, 15:25
:drool::drool::drool::drool:
cool mate fantastic keep em coming, hopefully one day soon i'l get down there for a tour.

Balrog
12th September 2009, 15:28
Few more scenery shots
Parked up at South Mavora Lake, could have spent all day here

Balrog
12th September 2009, 15:33
Spent a couple of days with some friends in Waitahuna.

Went for a blat down to Nugget Point with Jon on his newly reconditioned
GPZ 900.
Couldn't pass up playing around on the Farm :)

Balrog
12th September 2009, 15:39
All good things must come to an end, and its time to start the run home.

The original plan was to head back up the west coast again ( because I love it )
but the weather forecast was pretty bad so we decided to head up the middle.

Originally we were going to try and stay at Mt Cook, but that involved to much road work so we decided mid ride to head over Danseys pass instead.


The Days route
Programming in a quick route change for Danseys pass
hmmm beer
hmmmm GS
top of the pass

Balrog
12th September 2009, 15:42
A day of straight roads and tarseal.


The days route
Pit stop at Lake Tekapo

Balrog
12th September 2009, 15:49
As we'd made up a bit of time the previous day we had some room to head around Port Underwood on the way home.
A nice bit of off road to finish off the trip.


the days route
Notice the survival gear. Water, Shapes and Chocolate :)
View of the bay
View of the MagicFairy
And lastly getting mugged by two ducks in Picton


And after spending ten days in the South Island, I could just turn around and do the whole trip again.
I Love it :)

NordieBoy
12th September 2009, 16:06
Excellent stuff :woohoo:

marks
12th September 2009, 16:10
awesome stuff Jim :wari:

(note that I don't use a wari nana for just any RR)

makes me want to head of and follow your tracks

bout time you came for a ride with us lowlifes isn't it????

cooneyr
12th September 2009, 16:13
You lucky lucky bastards. We're jealous! Cool photos.

Cheers R

Underground
12th September 2009, 16:36
mmm ... Morova lakes ,one of my favorite places .
Been a few months since we were there , now youve made me want to go back , thanks Jim

XF650
12th September 2009, 17:04
Mavora Lakes is where the AdvRider Rally is - great spot

magicfairy
12th September 2009, 17:05
Yeah it was lovely, thanks Jim :love:

Paladin
12th September 2009, 17:58
Looks awesome Jim, thx for sharin matey!
:niceone:

_Shrek_
12th September 2009, 21:40
You lucky lucky bastards. Cool photos.


awesome stuff Jim :wari:


Excellent stuff :woohoo:

what these's guys have said, thanks for sharing cheers :apint:

bart
12th September 2009, 22:08
Awesome Balrog.

Now when's the next SI invasion?

Moki
13th September 2009, 08:09
I'm jealous

oldrider
13th September 2009, 10:21
Nice ride, write up and pics!

You did all the long straight bits past here, could have found you some nice gravel twisties and scenic alternatives! :yes:

Taz
14th September 2009, 11:57
Nice ride, write up and pics!

You did all the long straight bits past here, could have found you some nice gravel twisties and scenic alternatives! :yes:

Like the ones Cary and I did? That was a big day :)


Cool write up Balrog.