DAY 19 LAKE TEKAPO-CHRISTCHURCH

The pretty little Japanese girl in the room next door, learnt a few new Aussie adjectives when she woke up this morning as the tyre repair we had done last week decided enough was enough and had let all the air rush to the top. With only a couple of hundred kays left to go for the bike, I decided that a can of tyre repair was the best option. We had a few nervous minutes as we waited to see if it would take or not, in scenes reminiscent of Tassie last year.

Took a blast up to the Mount John Observatory to get the gel to set and take in the awesome 360 degree views.

The church of the good shepherd was the next stop. This little church is set right on the shore of Lake Tekapo and is probably the most photographed church in the southern hemisphere.

The repair seemed to be holding so we set of Fairlie, stopping along the way to check the tyre and chat with the friendly locals.

In Geraldine we met 2 couples from New Plymouth, who had spent the last week or so, checking out some of the back roads and less travelled areas of the South Island. Good to see big adventure bikes being used as they should. Sounded like they had a fantastic time and stories of creek crossings at 10.30 PM sounded just like some of our rides back home. Next time I come I am bringing the 640. Sorry I didn't get your names guys, as I had ear plugs in, but it was real nice talking to youse. If you ever come to Brisbane, make sure to look us up and we can arrange a ride.

The fog was thick as on the road, so we took it pretty easy on the way to Methven.

This is Mt Hutt ski field. Hard to believe it will be covered in a meter or so of snow in just a month or so, considering we were sweating like pigs at sea level.

We stopped at the very pretty Rakia gorge and decided to haggle a deal on the jet boat. In the end the one with the pretty blonde won.

The track in was interesting

The boat ride wasn't as thrilling as the shotover jetboat, but the scenery was spectacular and running the boat up the rapids was great fun. Its amazing how these jet boats can travel in only 70mm of water.

Sam had another crack at driving, while I took in the views.

Then it was on to Christchurch. Over here the beer is delivered to pubs in these beer trucks. The hose at the back is so you can pull up beside them and grab a drink as you go.

We headed into the city centre and while it was all very nice the absolute highlight of the trip for me was the visit to the Britten Motorcycle company. This will mean nothing to many of you, but ever since I saw these hand made bikes racing at Bathurst in the mid ninety's, I have been very interested in the amazing life of John Britten. Google John Britten if yo want to know more. It is a very sad story of a absolute legend . Email me if you would like a link to the a video series about him.

The sound those things made going up mountain straight will live with me forever, I was wrapped to be able to see them again and so pleased that the legend lives on.

We then picked up our rent a racer from the airport and then set off in search of a car wash to clean the bike as it has to be spotless for customs clearance.
Came across this car wash who offered to do the job for 30 bucks. A team of Ooompaloopahs was soon on the job, while we sat back and ate Muffins....Mmmmm muffins just like donuts only taller.(q. homer simpson 1998)

Of course the Ooompaloopahs were freaking hopeless and I had to step in to supervise. (typical Kiwis at work spent more time talking and singing than working) :-)

Hopefully we got it clean enough, it was quite a job to do.

We retired to our luxurious $65 cabin and had kebabs for dinner.

PS you whuckers better appreciate the trouble I go to bringing this dribble to you. It is way past my bed time and I am sitting in the car freezing my ass off, listening to gold fm hits from the sixties, stealing free wireless which keeps dropping out, getting shittier by the minute cause we are nearly at the end of the trip. So I hope your thankful you Nigel nolives (your reading this crap arent you?) :-)