Greetings from Hokitika

[geoffm]

Finally away on a quicie tour of the South Island, after having been down here most of the year. Blame Hitcher's account for giving me a case of itchy feet, rather than heading home to the family.
A late start and primo weather meant a quick trip over Arthur's Pass. Damn all traffi and only one Maui Chicane (campervan) meant some expensive speeds were reached, however, there was no one around to notice. There was one Revenueman at Kumara Junction, busy with someone else. "great - that will be the cops out of the way" - except the detector went off half way between Kumara and Hokitika due 2 (count em - 2 - must be half the police force) coming the other way. Had time to slow down which was fortunate...
Great weather today - not a cloud in the sky (and I am sunburnt again). Franz Joeseph and maybe Haast tomorrow.
I have the takedown 22 rifle (Norinco Browning copy) in the bags, so hope to get some bunny shooting in when I get to Otago, if anyone has any leads of friendly doors to knock on.
Running out of time on this pay-by-the-minute internet account, so gotta go.
Geoffm

[HanaBelle]

Finally away on a quicie tour of the South Island, after having been down here most of the year. Blame Hitcher's account for giving me a case of itchy feet, rather than heading home to the family.
A late start and primo weather meant a quick trip over Arthur's Pass. Damn all traffi and only one Maui Chicane (campervan) meant some expensive speeds were reached, however, there was no one around to notice. There was one Revenueman at Kumara Junction, busy with someone else. "great - that will be the cops out of the way" - except the detector went off half way between Kumara and Hokitika due 2 (count em - 2 - must be half the police force) coming the other way. Had time to slow down which was fortunate...
Great weather today - not a cloud in the sky (and I am sunburnt again). Franz Joeseph and maybe Haast tomorrow.
I have the takedown 22 rifle (Norinco Browning copy) in the bags, so hope to get some bunny shooting in when I get to Otago, if anyone has any leads of friendly doors to knock on.
Running out of time on this pay-by-the-minute internet account, so gotta go.
Geoffm

Lucky you! Have a wonderful ride.

HB

[NC]

Oh can you do me a favour please!

Can you go into the Claire cuts hair salon and say HI from Ruth?
Tis my best mate

[LB]

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Have a great trip Geoff - envy envy envy!!
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[geoffm]

Oh can you do me a favour please!

Can you go into the Claire cuts hair salon and say HI from Ruth?
Tis my best mate

Sorry, I didn't get the message in time - currently in Franz Joseph, watching the rain clouds come in...
Primo rode down the coast today - wondered where all the campervans had gone. Turns out they are all parked in the main street of Franz Joseph - looks like a campervan sales yard..
Geoff

[Hitcher]

Bike riding AND bunny shooting! Just promise me you won't do both at the same time?

Have a great trip. The weather looks like it will be just perfect for you.

[geoffm]

The roving KB reporter is now in Wanaka, after a night with offspring-of-friends-of-folks in Franz Joseph. Apparently there is lots of deer in the bush there at present (hmm, have to go back). Weather meant I missed out on a helicopter flight to the ice
Rapid fang after a late start south, I ended up staying in Haast (backpackers there was good) and went to Jackson's bay (50km south of Haast - pretty much as south as you can get in Westland) to see what was there - not much, but nice fish and chips...

Over the hill today to Wanaka to have look at the Transport and toy mueseum (lots of toys for boys of all ages) and the Warbirds (lots of really big toys for boys of all ages). Staying in Hollys backpackers - seems nice enough, and small, which is generally a good thing
I went a trip to Cromwell as well. The major industry has moved from fleecing sheep to tourists - and realestate. The amount of building, subdivisions and "for sale" signs around Wanaka and the surrounding area is unreal - as are the prices.$450k for an old bach? And that is cheap... sections - $1.35mil. Lot of dosh of a holiday house - there aren't that many super exec jobs around here to pay that sort of mortgage
Tomorrow it is over the Crown Range, a Speights in the Cardrona Hotel , and (if it is running) a ride on the Choo Choo train at Kingston. Might have a look at Queenstown, but tourist traps don't really appeal, unless I go for a trip on the Earslaw (paddle steamer - a choo choo boat).

Seeya later
Geoff

[Hitcher]

Bastard! I hope you're having a great time...

[LB]

Bastard! I hope you're having a great time...

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Ditto.
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[geoffm]

A quick update, for any who care...
After staying at Kingson, and having a ride on the train( verrrry shiny) I went to Milford Sound, as I arrived in Te Anau, and heard it was fine out there. Such a rare event needs to be verified. It is a primo primo piece of road on a bike, if you pick your time right. I left late afternoon, so all the tour buses were heading back and I had a clear road. I stayed at the beackpackers at Milford and next morning, Met up with a couple from Alaska, who were doing a tour (SV1000, BMWF650) on rental bikes, and we went on a plane flight up to the Sutherland Falls and over the Sound, Highly recommended - noghting like flying between the mountains and only a few metres away from sheer cliffs. Great views and lots of hidden valleys you would never see otherwise.
Down the road around the bottom of the island, through Manapouri and ended up in Riverton, just out of Invercargill. Another good road, and empty - went for over half an hour without seeing another car. I stayed at the Globe Hotel in Riverton - also recommended, and do a good pizza.
Next stop was Ohia and Nightcaps. These are famous as places where no body wants to live - at one stage houses went for $3000. It isn't that bad in Nightcaps if you were up on the hill. Ohia had a house for sale - $25000 (some work needed). better places were $49000 in Nightcaps. I ended up staying with Jim Eaves who has a home made sawmill, powered by a 1902 traction engine, as well as a bloody big shed and yard full of "stuff". The shed (4000 sq ft at least) had narrow walkways between the piles. Lots of interesting stuff and projects waiting for restoration.
Dunedin for a couple of days (via Invercargill and Balclutha, taking the back road) with a mate before heading inland again. Up through Middlemarch (very impressive countryside) Ranfurly (art deco town) and the turnoff to Onepura and the Ida Valley - another long empty road with the Hayes Engineering Works museum.
Gas up in Cromwell and over the Lindis Pass to Tekapo overnight - found a good B&B there. Can't believe the amount of development happening there - 3 huge subdivisions on the go now, plus all the other new houses, all of whihc has happened in the last 2-3 years. The 3 subdivisions alone will treble the size of the place.
Currently in Christchurch - I need a new tyre for the back. No problems, except teh whole place is closed today - Show day is apparently much more important than my back tyre. buggers my plans for getting back to Auckland by Sunday.
Geoff

[LB]

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Hi Geoff - you're covering some wonderful roads.

Oturehua/Hayes Engineering Works is where they hold the Brass Monkey (but I'm sure you know that).

The Middlemarch road is lovely isn't it, all those rocks in the hills/mountains. Did you see the memorial cairn at Hyde for the railway crash in about 1941? I think there were about 25 people killed.

Doesn't it feel like you're riding in a Graham Sydney painting round Ranfurly area?

Keep us posted. While I'm jealous as shit, I'm loving reading your writeups.

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[inlinefour]

Finally away on a quicie tour of the South Island, after having been down here most of the year. Blame Hitcher's account for giving me a case of itchy feet, rather than heading home to the family.
A late start and primo weather meant a quick trip over Arthur's Pass. Damn all traffi and only one Maui Chicane (campervan) meant some expensive speeds were reached, however, there was no one around to notice. There was one Revenueman at Kumara Junction, busy with someone else. "great - that will be the cops out of the way" - except the detector went off half way between Kumara and Hokitika due 2 (count em - 2 - must be half the police force) coming the other way. Had time to slow down which was fortunate...
Great weather today - not a cloud in the sky (and I am sunburnt again). Franz Joeseph and maybe Haast tomorrow.
I have the takedown 22 rifle (Norinco Browning copy) in the bags, so hope to get some bunny shooting in when I get to Otago, if anyone has any leads of friendly doors to knock on.
Running out of time on this pay-by-the-minute internet account, so gotta go.
Geoffm

Will be spending the whole month tiki touring the South Island