Another South Island tour

[Blackbird]

Good stuff Phill - sounds like you're still enjoying yourself. You'll love the Buller Gorge too.

Springfield Pub...... like minds etc! I took the attached photo on our "Birds Galore@ tour in 2007

[BladeBrit]

Springfield Pub...... like minds etc!

I think it was your blog about your trip that gave me the idea of stopping there.
Woke up this morning to sunshine again and set off up the buller Gorge.
A top bit of road that I really enjoyed I got to Nelson in the early afternoon and as it was still nice I decided to ride over to Picton and take in the Qn Charlotte Dr road.
Well the road from Nelson to Havelock was excellent and they have even used some nice smooth tarmac on some of the corners and sections, a right result.
Then on to the Qn Ch Dr and while it was a work out with the panniers on it was well worth doing. Cars were throwing themselves into the curb to let me pass which helped to keep the flow going.
Finally I arrived at Picton filled up with fuel and realised I had to do it all again in reverse !! What a shame
The problem I now have is what route to take from Nelson to Kaikoura?
I had thought of going back towards Westport on 6 and then taking the 65 to 7 and finally the inland road to Kaikoura. But I could go via Picton again. Decisions decisions.
Tomorrow I am going over to Collingwood so I am looking forward to Takaka hill on route.

[Blackbird]

Geez, you have some bloody tough decisions to make Phill, especially with the great forecast. Glad Queen Charlotte was ok. They had just gravelled it when we were rushing to catch the ferry - a bad decision on our part

Hey, we're flying to Vietnam this week so I won't have the chance to chat again before you head home. Just wanted to wish you well, hope you've enjoyed your time in NZ and have a safe trip home. A real pleasure meeting you and hope that I'm going to be able to see a write-up of your trip sometime!

All the best,

Geoff

[BladeBrit]

Hey Geoff I hope you will be hiring a Scooter in Vietnam and exploring a bit like the Top Gear Crowd did.
I have been making some notes about the trip so I will post up a longer report when I get back to blighty. Thanks for the hospitality and enjoy Vietnam.
Today I went over to Farewell Spit. Takaka hill was excellent with a nice surface and a convenient road works section that stopped all the traffic and allowed me to get a clear run at it.
On the way back I went down Route 61 via Motupiko to Nelson, which was a great choice as it was a lovely road along a river valley with no traffic. Well that is aside from all the bikes coming the other way. You know when you are on a good road when you start spotting lots of bikes.
All in all another good day out in the sunshine, I still have not decided about the route for tomorrow but will dwell on it over a beer or six.

[BladeBrit]

Well the final route back to Christchurch was back towards Westport on 6 and then the 65 to 7 and finally the inland road to Kaikoura. But when I got near to Christchurch it was early so I took a run up to Arthur’s pass as it was still sunny.
Another great ride with the customary great scenery. I did not see any Kea's at Arthur’s so they must be bothering people elsewhere.
On Friday I went out to Akeroa which was a great road and fortunately very quiet with it being a week day. I imagine it must be a race track at the weekend.
I came back via the summit road but it started to rain and the road got slippier than a greased eel so after a couple of butt clenching moments I backed right off until I got back on 75.
On Saturday Graham (BEAMER89) came round to my digs and dropped in a spare suitcase which was very generous and then he picked me up after the bike drop off and we went for a look around Riccarton mall for a second case.
Talk about going the extra mile to help out a fellow biker. A big thank you Graham for your generosity and help, it got me out of a difficult situation.
I am now back in the UK with my life turned upside down by the time difference and dreaming of bikes, mountains and warm tarmac.
If anyone is coming to the UK or Europe for a biking trip drop me a note as I generally go to the continent twice a year so have done a lot of miles in the Alps and Pyrenees.


Phill

[Blackbird]

Xin chao from Vietnam Phill

Really glad that you enjoyed our roads and scenery to the full, also the Kiwi biker hospitality. Hope the weather in the UK is pretty good by now.

No way would I try riding in the cities over here, it's a nightmare - see accidents daily. Fabulous country and lovely people though.

Cheers,

Geoff