Back from the South Island.

**Taz** · 23rd February 2008, 17:37

And it was great!

will do a trip report later.

here's some pics.

**Unit:Me** · 23rd February 2008, 17:42

Testing the depth of the river beforehand, good man, and you got snow as well? Looks like was a great adventure, how long were you gone for and how many Ks done, and where is the Valcan Hotel? Dont recognise it

**JimO** · 23rd February 2008, 17:45

Originally Posted by Unit

Testing the depth of the river beforehand, good man, and you got snow as well? Looks like was a great adventure, how long were you gone for and how many Ks done, and where is the Valcan Hotel? Dont recognise it

Vulcan hotel in St Bathans Central Otago

**cooneyr** · 23rd February 2008, 17:46

Looks awesome. Looking forward to the trip report.

I think I recognise the last picture - Lees Valley?

Did any of you have a GPS? Can you contribute to my web site www.advroutes.org.nz

Cheers R

**Unit:Me** · 23rd February 2008, 17:49

Originally Posted by jimjim

Vulcan hotel in St Bathans Central Otago

Nope, still lost, is that anywhere near where they hold the brass monkey at the lake that freezes? (went to that on my Norton in 1988 so is a bit of a find in the old memory banks). I recall going to a pub somewhere near there, but I am no expert of the Otago region and its been a while.

**cooneyr** · 23rd February 2008, 17:53

Originally Posted by Unit

Nope, still lost, is that anywhere near where they hold the brass monkey at the lake that freezes? (went to that on my Norton in 1988 so is a bit of a find in the old memory banks). I recall going to a pub somewhere near there, but I am no expert of the Otago region and its been a while.

Close enough. North west of Ranfurly and north east of Omakau. Bout here

Cheers R

**FJRider** · 23rd February 2008, 18:01

Originally Posted by Unit

Nope, still lost, is that anywhere near where they hold the brass monkey at the lake that freezes? (went to that on my Norton in 1988 so is a bit of a find in the old memory banks). I recall going to a pub somewhere near there, but I am no expert of the Otago region and its been a while.

It would have been a gravel road there in 88, you would remember the Vulcan Hotel, if you had been there. It IS worth a visit.

**NordieBoy** · 23rd February 2008, 18:48

Originally Posted by Unit

Testing the depth of the river beforehand, good man, and you got snow as well?

Looking for his bike...

**Unit:Me** · 23rd February 2008, 18:52

Originally Posted by FJRider

It would have been a gravel road there in 88, you would remember the Vulcan Hotel, if you had been there. It IS worth a visit.

You know now I think of it the boys led me up a number of gravel roads in those days, Im sure Ive been there it looks fimiliar. Back then I thought the Norton was a big road sports tourer, now days I see it as a cute little all round great bike. Was my first packhorse, went everywhere on it including places like in these pic's and in the South Island

**MIXONE** · 23rd February 2008, 18:57

Originally Posted by FJRider

It would have been a gravel road there in 88, you would remember the Vulcan Hotel, if you had been there. It IS worth a visit.

Stay in the haunted room if you go there.Is the crawl hole still above the bar?

**Taz** · 23rd February 2008, 19:51

We were travelling from feb 9th to feb 23rd and travelled around 6000k's started in picton (of course) and traveled to bluff and filled in all the bits in between. Best bit of seal was in my opinion the takaka hill. Best piece of gravel?? Christ where do I start? did the molesworth and rainbow roads from my sisters place in Motueka to my mum's in Picton in one day. Took from around 8:30 to 5:30 with a decent lunch stop in Hanmer Springs. Almost hit the ford at isolated flat at about 130km/h but saw it at the last moment and managed to scrub off enough speed to bounce thru it

.

I was using a Garmin Etrex venture CX running the free New Zealand open source maps and had no problems with navigation. Most days were 400-600km long and stayed in cabins. Had a lot of rain in the first week. Failed on the Maungatapu track (too much clay and pissing down) Failed aon the lees valley/okuku pass road as river was too high. Failed the nevis as also to wet and slippery

Andy.