OK; so the deal here is that my older brother kiwiJK and his son, Leon, decided to do a major road trip back in November to catch up with the Bert Munroe rally held in Invercargill each year.

If you've never heard of Bert you may want to Google "The worlds fastest Indian".

Anyway my esteemed elder brother is a complete Luddite when it comes to all things computer related so it has been assigned to me to convince you guys to come to NZ and have a ride, please bear with me that I am writing this in the third person.

Right lets get this show on the road:

JK's CBR departing home



The lads ready to go : kiwiJK on his recently rebuilt 88 CBR and his son Leon riding John's beautifully restored (prize winning) Gixxer. You'll just have to get used to the Gixxer, it features in a lot of photos.



Ferry ride to the South Island


This is what the ferries look like when they're going the other way, not a bad way to travel to be fair, a relaxing 3 hour cruise and you get to talk to lots of tourists.



Right, in the South Island now. This is the Kaikoura coast; it was down about here that JK had to stop and have a wee chat with a Velocity Doctor. All good though; he wrote JK a prescription for $80 and apparently everything will be alright now.



Somewhere on the way to Hamner Springs, don't know, wasn't there, looks nice though.



So does this.



This actually more time-consuming than I anticipated, I might do a Part 2 in a couple of days if you're interested?

 

Very nice - interested - more ?

 

Great pics TK. More?...absolutely.

 

The guys spent the night in Hamner Springs which is just at the bottom of one of the passes over the main divide (The Southern Alps).

Once you're over the Alps you're on the West Coast of the South Island.

I'm sure you've all heard that "into every life, a little rain must fall" - that is almost guaranteed on the West Coast.



But, it never rains forever does it?





Heading back into the Alps to cross back over to my side, this time over the Haast Pass.



The owner of the Makarora Country Cafe is obviously a bit of a fan of Gixxer colours.



Getting into my part of the woods now, Johns' CBR at what is locally called "The Neck"; a nifty little pass where Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea are separated by only a few hundred meters, but a good altitude change and lots of corners.



And looking in the other direction, the view is only marred slightly by the presence of a Gixxer



What followed, was a slightly rowdy night at mine (best not immortalized in photos) and the next day the guys headed south towards Invercargill, stopping only when it was compulsory,



or if there was a cheesy touristy type photo to be had:

 

Wow they're some great pics - very good - very beautiful country for sure

 

Away from home for eight days and did 3,700 km. But a few days in Invecargill for the rally which didn't clock any km's.

 

The Burt Munro rally is held every year in Invercargill to celebrate the life and achievements of "The Worlds Fastest Indian".

Over a three day weekend they hold all manner of modern and historic race events. A hilllclimb, beach racing, speedway, drags and a street race through the center of a little country town.

All good fun, and it brings bikers from all over NZ to Invercargill for the weekend.



One of the compulsory activities is to visit E.Hayes and Sons - a hardware store that runs a museum to Burt within their day to day business.



The Burt Munro R. & D. Dept.



and some other tasty pieces of kit all in the middle of an operating hardware store. Would you like a mailbox or a TZ750 Yam sir?



When in Invercargill, one has to visit Bluff, the southernmost point of mainland New Zealand.



And then get a passing tourist to take the official cheesy photo.



And ring your wife to tell her that you are actually still alive.



And a quick homage to the man himself.



It was really great that you let us stay with you for three nights Nigel, but the cellphone reception here is absolute crap.


On the Monday, the guys left Invercargill and took a very circuitous route via the southern coast and back to mine in Central Otago.

Lake Dunstan, just down the road from me. Behind a very controversial dam built back in the late 70's. Now a mecca for boating, water skiing and trout fishing. Try getting away with building a dam like that is this day and age though.

 

Monday night was spent at mine. I always knew that wasn't going to be a very clever idea.

Family members are like buses aren't they? You don't see any for months and then they turn up twice within a week and drink all your p1ss.

Too many old farts, too much HP and not enough garage.



Woke up on the Tuesday morning, and didn't feel the most clever I've ever felt in my life so I did the responsible thing and rang into work sick.

Didn't want to bother my doctor though, because I was sure he was just tell me I just needed to get some fresh mountain air. So rather than being a drain on the health system I went with the guys and found some.



and some more



Thought we'd just get a tourist to confirm that I had actually been out looking after my health.

This is the Lindis Pass and the guys have now crossed the main divide about six times over various passes.



Lake Pukaki, yes the water is actually that color, it's called glacial flour, the glacier that feeds the lake grinds stone to tiny particles that float in the water and give it that milky look.



I had to bug out at Lake Tekapo, but not without a visit to the iconic Church of the Good Shepard



Standard tourist photo from within the church. Regardless of your beliefs (or lack of them in my case ) it is a very special place.



Final photo before I had to head back home. In case any of you guys are wondering I'm the good looking one.

Have a good ride John and Leon , wish I could carry on with you.