2026 - Mon 30th

All packed and ready to go this morning and left about 9am to get fuel and it was raining again.

An easy 4.5 hour ride today - the first 2.5 hours of rain didn’t help.  I stopped for breakfast in Palmerston, passing the beaches at Shag Point, then on up the coast - not a lot to see in the grey overcast vista.

Turned off Highway 1 and headed towards Lake Tekapo on Highway 8.  The rain eased as I approached Fairlie and by the time I reached Burkes Pass the sky was blue with perfect white clouds and snow capped mountains in the distance.

After a much needed S,S & S I ventured out to take a few photo while the sun was still shining.   Then back to the “Studio” apartment for a cup of tea and a blog.

I always thought that the last overnight stop would be crap…. But I was so wrong, this place is wonderful.  It’s now 4pm and nearly time to hunt down some food and maybe a beer.   Tomorrow is my last riding day - back to our Air BnB near Christchurch and hand back the bike.  I will try to calculate the mileage when I stop.

The view from my window

2026 - Sun 29th

 

Robert Burns overlooking Dunedin City Centre.  It’s like a little Scotland here, there is a number of Kilt shops and even a shop dedicated to Scotch Whiskey.

Today is a full non-riding day, which was definitely needed after yesterdays 7.5 hour day.

Following breakfast nearby this morning I took a walk into town - this area is certainly a centre for student digs - frat houses everywhere with sofas in the front garden etc….  The good news is that there are endless fast food shops near by.

I had a good look around town while I waited for the shops to open (Sunday opening time here appears to be 11am).   I might even walk back in later for supper.

Another walk into town for supper and met up with Carl and Isabel at the town centre had a beer and supper.

The bike is running well, but the lock barrel on the top box came out and I hope that it still locks - if not I’ll just remove the top box overnight.   Just one more night to go after tonight, and that is at Lake Takapo.  Then it the final run into Christchurch, and hand back the bike on Wednesday (I must remember to top up with fuel and wash it).

Then on Saturday we fly out to Singapore and then on to Heathrow.

2026 - 28th

 

Well that day was longer than I expected.  I left Te Anau at 8:30 and arrived here in Dunedin at 4pm.

It was just low cloud for the first hour, then I got a little brighter. More and more great scenery - like riding through Telly Tuby land without the sun.    

Finally got to  Invercargill although I don’t know what I was expecting - in my minds eye I had image of a one horse town but it turned out to be anything but.  In fact I rode through to town and missed E Hayes store completely, so I turned around and rode back.

So it’s a large store with motorcycles and cars in amongst goods for sale….  And in the middle, in a glass case was Burt Munro’s two bikes.   If you haven’t seen the film “The Fastest Indian” with Anthony Hopkins then you need to do it now.  It’s a fabulous film.  

After note: I wondered why along with soaps and shampoo etc in the bathroom, there were ear plugs ….. now I know why - this motel sits right in the middle of the university student accommodation !!! Noisy buggers - I suppose it is Saturday night….

 

2026 - Fri 27th

 

 

It’s a shame that JRR Tolkien never visited New Zealand he would have loved…,

I had an 8am early start this morning and rode in the rain for the whole 2 hours it took to get to the Milton Sound.  Even so the scenery was still fantastic - the mountains, the cliffs and the low hanging barrel clouds.

I managed to find the boat amongst the vast crowds of Chinese trippers.   So many of them staring at their phones all the time,  maybe it’s not real unless it’s on a screen.  Rather like people filming at a concert and not watching it live…. Ah well.

It was very foggy most of the time, in fact I would say that the ride up and back to Te Anau was better than the boat trip.   Some very tight 180° corners and a very impressive tunnel, and very little traffic.

I am now back at the Motel trying to dry out some gear.  The Gortex is no longer water proof.   Good job I was carry my trusty old yellow jacket,  and the seal skin gloves are soaked !!!!  

I am still having issues with the Garmin - I’ve given up even thinking that its going to talk to me other than saying “drive to highlighted route”..,, then nothing!  The other issue is that whilst riding a route, and about 1 hour/100kms from the destination the counters start going in reverse (honest).   

Well it’s stopped raining here now and I am about to wander into town in search of supper.   Tomorrow is a longish ride to Dunedin via Invercargil.  

2026 - Thu 26th

-45.41826,167.71597

Good evening reader,

I set off in good time this morning, found some fuel and traffic near the airport.   A very chilled and pleasant ride today, overcast and chilly.   Later past through fog or low cloud and then sunshine.  This part of NZ is very agricultural but still has those fabulous lakes and mountains.

I think I have found Mordor or even the mountains of Toblorone.   

I stopped a couple of times for a cup of tea and a pie/sausage roll.  Tea stops and petrol stations are far apart here and you have to get it when you find it.   You also have to try and beat the Japanese camera clicking tourists to the next stop!

Found the next motel in Te Anau (very nice) and will walk about once I have finished this diatribe.

It’s a 2 hour ride to Milford Sound in the morning, and the motel manager recommended an early start.  I have my waterproofs, bug spray and camera ready.   It will be good to ride without panniers for a change.